Human health issues related to avian influenza in Canada

October 25, 2006

Table of Contents

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Background
  • 2.1 Avian Influenza in the Wild Bird Population
  • 2.2 Avian Influenza in Poultry Flocks
  • 2.3 Human Health Context
  • 2.4 Sources of Additional information
• 3 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4 Terminology
  • 4.1 National Case Definitions
  • 4.2 Other key terms
• 5 Avian/ Animal Surveillance
• 6 Human Surveillance
  • 6.1 General Recommendations
• 7 Public Health Risk Assessment
  • 7.1 Virus-specific risk
  • 7.2 Exposure risk
  • 7.3 Other considerations
• 8 Public Health Measures
  • 8.1 General Recommendations
  • 8.2 Management of Contacts
  • 8.3 Management of Cases in the Community
• 9 Infection Control
  • 9.1 General Recommendations/Precautions
  • 9.2 Personal Protective Equipment for contacts of an avian/animal source of virus
• 10 Antivirals
  • 10.1 Background information
  • 10.2 Antiviral Recommendations
    • 10.2.1 Prophylaxis
    • 10.2.2 Treatment
• 11 Vaccine Programs
• References

List of Appendices

Appendix A: Sample Avian Influenza (H7N3) Outbreak Case Definitions for Investigation of Human Cases Associated with Domestic Avian Influenza Outbreaks [based on British Columbia (BC) Avian Influenza (H7N3) Outbreak Case Definitions, 2004]

Appendix B: WHO Case Definitions for Influenza A/H5

Appendix C: Sample Avian Influenza (H7N3) Outbreak Laboratory Testing Recommendations for Investigation of Human Cases Associated with Domestic Avian Influenza Outbreaks [based on BC Avian Influenza (H7N3) Outbreak Laboratory Recommendations, 2004]

Appendix D: Example of Lead Agency Responsibilities - BC Outbreak

Appendix E: Canadian Animal Health Network Contacts for Chief Veterinary Officers for Animal Influenza Surveillance

Appendix F: Sample Farmer Information Letter

Appendix G: Sample Letter for Contacts of Avian Influenza Virus

Appendix H: Sample Letter for Physicians seeing Contacts of Avian Influenza Virus

Appendix I: Sample Oseltamivir Information Sheet

Acknowledgements: Appendix D was provided by the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and modified slightly in this document to remove specific references to local public health authorities in BC. Appendices F, G and H were developed and distributed by the BCCDC and Fraser Health Authority during the 2004 H7N3 avian influenza outbreak. Appendix I was developed by the BCCDC Pharmacy Services for specific use in managing the BC outbreak. Further use or modification of any of the appendices developed specifically for the BC outbreak would constitute use outside of the document(s) originally intended purpose and therefore it would be up to the distributor/modifier/user to verify that the content is appropriate for the new situation.

The provision of these documents for the purpose of national resource sharing is appreciated, as these documents are anticipated to be a useful tool for other jurisdictions that may have to deal with similar outbreaks in the future.