Influenza: avian and porcine viruses to watch out for – 30/12/2022 – News

A DGS-Urgent dated December 29 calls on health professionals to monitor and detect them, and to implement preventive measures.

Thus, a suspicion of influenza linked to influenza of avian or swine origin must be mentioned “for any symptomatic person faced with a situation of exposure to risk to domestic or wild birds or pigs that may be infected”, after elimination of the all differential diagnoses, especially seasonal flu (with RT-PCR subtyping) and Covid-19. The person must be placed in isolation and their contacts identified and followed up. Respiratory samples sent to the National Reference Center for Respiratory Infection Viruses will confirm the diagnosis of avian or swine flu.

To limit the risk of reassortment between animal viruses and human viruses, vaccination against seasonal influenza of exposed professionals (farmers, veterinarians, technicians) has been recommended since this year. Prevention is based, for all persons likely to be in close contact with infected birds and pigs or their carcasses, on the wearing of personal protective equipment (mask, gloves, glasses, overclothing), the hygiene of hands and waste management.