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Avian Flu

Nancy Nguyen, DO and Kevin Tran, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Human infection due to influenza strains that typically infect bird species. Avian influenza type A viruses (subtypes H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2 to date). H5N1 is highly pathogenic; H7N9 h...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Close contact with suspected or confirmed case

  • Close contact with infected poultry

  • Recent travel (within 10 days) to high-risk area

  • Primary phase: H5N1 (*both H5N1 and H7N9)

    • Influenza-lik...

TREATMENT

Treat suspected or confirmed avian flu cases immediately with neuraminidase inhibitors, administer within 48 hours of onset of symptoms for best clinical effects. 

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Minimize sp...

ONGOING CARE

PATIENT EDUCATION

PROGNOSIS

Mortality rate is high in aggressive H5N1 cases. Median time to dea...

REFERENCES

1
Morens DM, Park J, Taubenberger JK. Many potential pathways to future pandemic influenza. Sci Translate Med. 2023;15(718):eadj2379. doi:0.1126/scitranslmed.adj2379
2
Uyeki TM, Peiris M. Nove...

CODES

ICD10

  • J09.x Influenza due to identified novel influenza A virus

  • J09.x1 Influenza due to identified novel influenza A virus with pneumonia

  • J09.x2 Influenza due to identified novel influenza A virus ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Consider avian influenza (AI) in patients presenting with acute febrile respiratory illness and recent travel to high-risk areas (especially Asia) or who have spent time on poultry far...

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