Prevention and Treatment of Avian Influenza A Viruses in People
The Best Prevention is to Avoid Sources of Exposure Currently,
the best way to prevent infection with avian influenza A viruses
is to avoid sources of exposure whenever possible. Most human
infections with avian influenza A viruses have occurred
following direct close or prolonged contact with sick or dead
infected poultry. People who work with poultry or who respond to
avian influenza outbreaks are advised to follow recommended
biosecurity and infection control practices; these include use
of appropriate personal protective equipment and careful
attention to hand hygiene. In addition, highly pathogenic avian
influenza (HPAI) poultry outbreak responders should adhere to
guidance from CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) and
receive seasonal influenza vaccination annually and take
prophylactic antiviral medication during response. They should
also be monitored for illness during and after responding to
HPAI outbreaks among poultry. Responders t