As British Columbia is dealing with an outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N2) in many poultry farms, we have also detected two influenza A subgroups in birds in Whatcom County (H5N8 in falcons and H5N2 in a pintail duck). Everyone who raises poultry should receive an annual seasonal influenza vaccine. Vaccination against seasonal influenza is recommended for everyone over age 6 months whether they are around animals or not. Vaccination of people with close contact to poultry reduces the risk of having simultaneous infections with seasonal influenza and avian influenza. This type of co-infection increases the chance that the two strains will combine and a new influenza virus will emerge.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 20:28:55 +0000
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