Avian Influenza A H5N1

Summary: Due to sporadic human infections with avian Influenza A H5N1 Virus amid high levels of seasonal influenza activity, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) highly recommends a shortened timeline for subtyping all influenza A specimens among hospitalized patients and enhanced efforts at clinical laboratories to identify non-seasonal influenza. Clinicians and laboratorians are reminded to test for influenza in patients with suspected influenza and to now expedite the subtyping of influenza Apositive specimens from hospitalized patients, particularly those in an intensive care unit (ICU). This approach can help prevent delays in identifying human infections with avian Influenza A H5N1 Virus, while also supporting optimal patient care and timely infection control and case investigation.

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