The CDC has advised that hospitalized patients with influenza should be tested for avian influenza A within 24 hours, aiming to enhance early detection of infections.

This updated guidance seeks to prevent delays in identifying human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) amid elevated levels of seasonal influenza. The CDC has assessed the risk of person-to-person transmission of the virus as low, with no evidence of further human-to-human spread.

Patients with confirmed H5N1, particularly those requiring intensive care, should undergo testing within 24 hours of hospitalization to determine the viral subtype and detect potential H5N1 cases. Previously, hospital protocols often involved batching samples for subtyping every few days, potentially delaying actionable results.

Nirav Shah, CDC’s principal deputy director, emphasized the importance of timely results. “What we need is to shift to a system that tells us what's happening in the moment,” he stated during a press briefing.

Since April, nearly 70 cases of H5N1 have been identified in the U.S., primarily among farmworkers. Most infections have been mild, though one fatality was reported in Louisiana last week. Three cases lacked a clear source of exposure, highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance.

To bolster preparedness, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced $211 million in funding for mRNA-based vaccine development targeting emerging infectious diseases, including H5N1. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is rebuilding its avian influenza vaccine stockpile for poultry.

The CDC reiterated that current surveillance systems have effectively identified cases, with no evidence of significant under-detection. However, faster testing aims to improve case management and enable rapid public health responses where necessary.