HMN 2025: How Seroprevalence of HPAI A(H5) recognized in bovine veterinary practitioners

Seroprevalence of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus an infection has been recognized amongst bovine veterinary practitioners, based on analysis published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Noting that the present outbreak of HPAI A(H5) clade 2.3.4.4.b viruses, genotype B3.13 was first detected amongst dairy cattle in March 2024, with human circumstances recognized amongst dairy staff in April, Jerome Leonard, M.D., M.P.H., from the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues examined the prevalence of HPAI A(H5) an infection amongst 150 U.S. bovine veterinary practitioners.

The researchers discovered that 55 % of survey individuals practiced in states with HPAI A(H5) virus-positive dairy herds and 17 % labored with dairy cattle with identified or suspected infections.

Three survey individuals (2 %) had antibodies to HPAI A(H5), indicative of latest HPAI A(H5) an infection. There had been no reported respiratory or influenza-like signs, together with conjunctivitis, among the many practitioners with optimistic serology outcomes. All three supplied care to a number of animals, together with dairy cattle.

None labored with dairy cattle with identified or suspected HPAI A(H5) an infection, however one labored with poultry optimistic for HPAI A(H5). Two reported training in a number of states and two practiced in states with identified HPAI A(H5) an infection amongst cattle. One reported offering care solely in Georgia and South Carolina, which had not beforehand reported HPAI A(H5) an infection in dairy cattle.

All individuals reported sporting gloves or a clothes cowl when offering veterinary care to cattle; none reported sporting respiratory or eye safety.

“These findings recommend that there is perhaps HPAI A(H5) virus-infected dairy cattle in states where an infection in dairy cattle has not but been recognized,” the authors write.