A case of avian influenza A(H5N1) in England, January 2022
Isabel Oliver, Jonathan Roberts, Colin S Brown, Alexander MP Byrne, Dominic Mellon, Rowena DE Hansen, Ashley C Banyard, Joe James, Matthew Donati, Robert Porter, Joanna Ellis, Jade Cogdale, Angie Lackenby, Meera Chand, Gavin Dabrera, Ian H Brown, Maria Zambon
Abstract
On 5 January 2022, high pathogenicity avian influenza A(H5N1) was confirmed in an individual who kept a large flock of ducks at their home in England. The individual remained asymptomatic. H5N1 was confirmed in 19/20 sampled live birds on 22 December 2021. Comprehensive contact tracing (n = 11) revealed no additional primary cases or secondary transmissions. Active surveillance of exposed individuals is essential for case identification. Asymptomatic swabbing helped refine public health risk assessment and facilitated case management given changes in avian influenza epidemiology.