Preparing for the worst: Healthcare can check readiness for bird flu spread

ARLINGTON, Va. (December 5, 2024) — Healthcare facilities are encouraged to prepare now for a possible bird flu outbreak, adopting measures to protect patients, staff, and the public, according to a commentary by infectious disease experts published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

While the risk from bird flu to humans is currently low, hospitals can ensure they are ready by closely monitoring local and national cases of bird flu and screening patients with flu-like symptoms for contact with farm animals, especially in rural areas where bird flu has been found,

Infectious disease doctors also recommend that hospitals establish strict isolation practices, prioritize protective equipment for staff, plan for potential vaccination sites, and ensure clear communication with both healthcare teams and the community.

A multistate outbreak of bird flu, specifically the H5N1 virus, was reported in dairy cows in the U.S. in March, with a number of cases found in humans. Cases in humans related to this outbreak have generally been mild and usually associated with contact with farm animals. With little to no population immunity, a human-spread outbreak of H5N1 could lead to significant morbidity and mortality, depending on the virulence of a new variant, the authors said.

“Healthcare facilities can adopt a systematic approach to prepare to identify, confirm, and safely manage bird flu in the healthcare setting,” said Lauren Epstein, M.D., M.S., co-author of the article an infectious disease specialist at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center and an assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine.

Effective communication is essential for fostering trust and reducing anxiety among healthcare personnel, patients, and the public, the authors said. Hospitals are encouraged to share their plans openly and explain how and why specific precautions are being implemented. Public transparency is especially crucial if response strategies change over time based on new information.

In cases of suspected or confirmed bird flu, hospitals should use dedicated single-patient rooms with specialized ventilation to prevent airborne spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends that healthcare workers use high-filtration masks, gloves, gowns, and eye protection when treating these patients. These precautions aim to contain any spread within the facility, especially as there is a low but real risk that the virus could eventually mutate to spread more easily between humans.

Shira Doron, M.D., chief infection control officer at Tufts Medicine, hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center, and professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, co-authored the article, “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Considerations for Healthcare Settings.” The article was published online in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology on Dec. 5.

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About ICHE
Published through a partnership between the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and Cambridge University Press, Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology provides original, peer-reviewed scientific articles for anyone involved with an infection control or epidemiology program in a hospital or healthcare facility. ICHE is ranked 24^th out of 94 Infectious Disease Journals in the latest Web of Knowledge Journal Citation Reports from Thomson Reuters.

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is a professional society representing more than 2,000 physicians and other healthcare professionals around the world who possess expertise and passion for healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship. The society’s work improves public health by establishing infection-prevention measures and supporting antibiotic stewardship among healthcare providers, hospitals, and health systems. This is accomplished by leading research studies, translating research into clinical practice, developing evidence-based policies, optimizing antibiotic stewardship, and advancing the field of healthcare epidemiology. SHEA and its members strive to improve patient outcomes and create a safer, healthier future for all. Visit SHEA online at shea-online.org, facebook.com/SHEApreventingHAIs and twitter.com/SHEA_Epi.