Maine CDC Information
- Health Topics A-Z
- Conferences & Events
- Data and Reports
- Maine CDC Rules
- Public Health Training
- State Health Improvement Plan
- About Us
District Public Health
- Local Health Officers
- Local Public Health Districts
- Public Health Emergency Preparedness
- Statewide Coordinating Council
Information for Health Care Providers
Maine CDC Health Advisory
April 23, 2024
U.S. CDC: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus
Please take a moment to review this information on highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians, state health departments, and the public of a recently confirmed human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in the United States following exposure to presumably infected dairy cattle. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently reported detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in U.S. dairy cattle in multiple states. This Health Advisory also includes a summary of interim U.S. CDC recommendations for preventing, monitoring, and conducting public health investigations of potential human infections with HPAI A(H5N1) virus.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) continues to circulate in Maine with recent detections in wild and domestic birds. HPAI A(H5N1) can infect humans and cause illness. The risk to the general public remains low. People who are directly exposed to HPAI A(H5N1) should monitor for symptoms and get tested if symptomatic.
Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) is the only laboratory in Maine capable of testing for HPAI A(H5N1). Respiratory specimens from symptomatic patients with recent contact to sick or dead birds or animals suspected of having HPAI A(H5N1) should be sent to HETL following the influenza laboratory submission information sheet (LSIS) found at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/health-and-environmental-testing/micro/documents/Detection-of-Influenza-by-Real-Time-RT-PCR-LSIS.pdf All questions and concerns regarding human cases of HPAI A(H5N1) and human exposures to HPAI A(H5N1) should be directed to Maine CDC by calling the 24-hour disease reporting line at 800-821-5821.
Health care providers/facilities should have processes in place to identify and isolate persons with possible HPAI A(H5N1), inform infection control, and manage health care exposures.
