Healthcare Provider Information on
Avian Influenza A (H5N1)

Guidelines for Avian Influenza A (H5N1)

• BPHC Surveillance Guidelines for Healthcare Providers
  Healthcare providers should inquire about recent travel history of patients presenting with influenza-like illness. Suspect and confirmed cases of avian influenza must be reported to BPHC at (617) 534-5611.
• Control Measures for Avian Influenza (H5N1)
  This document contains avian influenza (H5N1) control measures used in both hospital and outpatient health care settings.
• Diagnostic Testing for Avian Influenza
  This document contains guidance for specimen collection and testing of avian influenza (H5N1).

Infection Control for Suspect Cases
Appropriate precautions should be used in the care of all suspect avian influenza patients. These precautions are designed to reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms from both recognized and unrecognized sources of infection.
For more information on avian flu isolation and infection control measures please click on the following websites:

• CDC Interim Recommendations for Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities Caring for Patients with Known or Suspected Avian Influenza

• CDC Interim Recommendations for Persons with Possible Exposure to Avian Influenza During Outbreaks Among Poultry in the United States

• CDC Interim Guidance on Planning for the Use of Surgical Masks and Respirators in Health Care Settings during an Influenza Pandemic

For more specific information on transmission based precautions click on the following website:

• CDC Recommendations for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals

If your facility would like N-95 fit testing for staff members, please complete the following registration form and fax it to the DelValle Institute at (617) 343-1310

• Respirator Fit Testing Clinic Registration Form

Patient Education Materials

• Download/print BPHC 2005/06 flu poster
• BPHC Avian Influenza Fact Sheets
• BHPC Handwashing Fact Sheet
  • Chinese | • English | • Spanish | • Vietnamese
• Influenza Care at Home
• Home Isolation and Quarantine
• Pandemic Flu Fact Sheet
• Brochure - Pandemic Flu
  • Chinese |• English |• Haitian Creole | • Portuguese
  • Spanish| • Vietnamese
  
• Brochure - I have the flu... what should I do?
  • English |• Haitian Creole | • Spanish | • Vietnamese
• Poultry and Avian Influenza
• Should I stockpile Tamiflu?

Clinician and Staff Tools
The following tools are available to assist staff with surveillance of flu-like illness.

• CDC - Avian Flu Information for Healthcare Providers
  
• Front Line Staff Poster
  This front desk poster can direct staff to monitor for flu-like illness and take necessary infection control steps based on patient symptoms.
  
• Pandemic Flu Chart
  This chart is useful for clinicians when explaining the difference between seasonal flu, bird flu and pandemic flu to patients.
  
• Coughing Poster
  This waiting room poster is available in many languages for use in either a clinic or hospital setting. Based on patient symptoms, staff can determine if isolation or use of a mask is necessary.

	Other Languages:
	• Chinese	• Somali
	• Hatian-Creole	• Spanish
	• Portguese	• Vietnamese

Antiviral Medication
CDC has issued guidance on priority groups for treatment and prophylaxis of pandemic influenza cases. Four medications are currently used for treatment and/or prophylaxis of influenza. Certain avian influenza A (H5N1) strains appear to be resistant to some of these medications. The ramifications of resistance are unknown at this time. The following links from FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) provide information about antiviral medications used for avian influenza A (H5N1).

• Relenza (zanamivir)
• Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate)
• Symmetrel (amantadine)
• Flumadine (rimantadine)
• Current Antiviral Guidelines for Seasonal Influenza

Reporting Suspect Cases of Avian Influenza A (H5N1)

• Report Form
  All suspect or confirmed cases of avian influenza must be reported to BPHC within one working day. BPHC will investigate each case.

Laboratory Submission Forms for Avian Influenza A (H5N1)

• State Laboratory Institute (SLI) specimen submission form
  Use this form when submitting a specimen for influenza or other infectious diseases to the State Laboratory Institute (SLI)

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Respiratory Virus Testing Instructions
  Collection and transportation procedures of swab specimen sent for testing to MDPH
• CDC Lab Diagnosis Procedures for Influenza
  General procedures and diagnostic table for influenza samples

Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Statistics
Click here for a list of human and animal cases in countries affected by avian flu.