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1 December 2007

Volume 196, Number 11
The Journal of Infectious Diseases 2007;196:1685–1691
© 2007 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.
0022-1899/2007/19611-0017$15.00
DOI: 10.1086/522158
MAJOR ARTICLE

Lack of Evidence of Avian‐to‐Human Transmission of Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus among Poultry Workers, Kano, Nigeria, 2006

Justin R. Ortiz,1,2,a

Mark A. Katz,1,2,a

Mohammed N. Mahmoud,4

Saidu Ahmed,6

Shehu I. Bawa,5

Eileen C. Farnon,2,3

Mohammed B. Sarki,5

Abdussalam Nasidi,6

Muhammed S. Ado,4

Abdulrazak H. Yahaya,4

Tony M. Joannis,8

Raphael S. Akpan,7

John Vertefeuille,7

Jenna Achenbach,1

Robert F. Breiman,9

Jacqueline M. Katz,1

Timothy M. Uyeki,1

and Sadiq S. Wali4

1Influenza Division and 2Epidemic Intelligence Service, Office of Workforce and Career Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, and 3Division of Vector‐Borne Infectious Diseases, CDC, Fort Collins, Colorado; 4Kano State Ministry of Health and 5Kano State Ministry of Agriculture, Kano, 6Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health and 7Global AIDS Program Nigeria, CDC, Abuja, and 8Viral Research Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Jos, Nigeria; 9International Emerging Infections Program, CDC, Nairobi, Kenya

Background.In February 2006, poultry outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus were confirmed in Nigeria. A serosurvey was conducted to assess H5N1 transmission among poultry workers and laboratory workers in Nigeria.

Methods.From 21 March through 3 April 2006, 295 poultry workers and 25 laboratory workers with suspected exposure to H5N1 virus were administered a questionnaire to assess H5N1 exposures, medical history, and health care utilization. A serum specimen was collected from participants to test for H5N1 neutralizing antibodies by microneutralization assay.

Results.The 295 poultry workers reported a median of 14 days of exposure to suspected or confirmed H5N1‐infected poultry without antiviral chemoprophylaxis and with minimal personal protective equipment. Among 25 laboratory workers, all handled poultry specimens with suspected H5N1 virus infection. All participants tested negative for H5N1 neutralizing antibodies.

Conclusions.Despite widespread exposure to poultry likely infected with H5N1 virus, no serological evidence of H5N1 virus infection was identified among participants. Continued surveillance for H5N1 cases in humans and further seroprevalence investigations are needed to assess the risk of avian‐to‐human transmission, given that H5N1 viruses continue to circulate and evolve among poultry.

Received 2 April 2007; accepted 20 June 2007; electronically published 25 October 2007.

Reprints or correspondence: Dr. Mark Katz, Global Disease Detection Division, Centers for Disease Control–Kenya, Mbagathi Road off Mbagathi Way, PO Box 606-00621, Village Market, Narobi, Kenya ().

Global Theme Issue: Poverty and Human Development

Cited by

Lei Zhou, Qiaohong Liao, Libo Dong, Yang Huai, Tian Bai, Nijuan Xiang, Yuelong Shu, Wei Liu, Shiwen Wang, Pengzhe Qin, Min Wang, Xuesen Xing, Jun Lv, Ray Y. Chen, Zijian Feng, Weizhong Yang, Timothy M. Uyeki, and Hongjie Yu. (2009) Risk Factors for Human Illness with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Infection in China. The Journal of Infectious Diseases 199:12, 1726-1734
Online publication date: 15-Jun-2009.
Abstract-Full Text-PDF Version (96 kB)
Sirenda Vong, Sowath Ly, Maria D. Van Kerkhove, Jenna Achenbach, Davun Holl, Philippe Buchy, San Sorn, Heng Seng, Timothy M. Uyeki, Touch Sok, and Jacqueline M. Katz. (2009) Risk Factors Associated with Subclinical Human Infection with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus—Cambodia, 2006. The Journal of Infectious Diseases 199:12, 1744-1752
Online publication date: 15-Jun-2009.
Abstract-Full Text-PDF Version (175 kB)
Gregory C. Gray, Troy McCarthy, Ana W. Capuano, Sharon F. Setterquist, Michael C. Alavanja, Charles F. Lynch. (2008) Evidence for avian influenza A infections among Iowa’s agricultural workers. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 2:2, 61-69
Online publication date: 1-Apr-2008.
CrossRef
Timothy M. UYEKI. (2008) Global epidemiology of human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses. Respirology 13:s1, S2-S9
Online publication date: 1-Apr-2008.
CrossRef

  • Potential conflicts of interest: none reported.

    Presented in part: Options for the Control of Influenza VI Conference, Toronto, 17–23 June 2007 (abstract O20).

    The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  • J.R.O. and M.A.K. contributed equally to this article.

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