Building the Future of Biodefense

Recommendation: The primary impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in commercial flocks is the increased cost of eggs or poultry products when outbreaks become more widespread. Organizations sensitive to egg and poultry prices should have a contingency plan for price volatility. PHC recommends that continuity plans be reviewed and updated in preparation for high-consequence infectious disease threats.

Situation: Health officials in Naju City, South Korea, announced extensive new measures to prevent further spread of avian influenza. Naju City is the largest duck producer in the country, and the city has maintained a livestock infectious disease-free zone for the past 2 years, before several recent HPAI outbreaks in duck farms threatened the industry. As a result, officials announced the cancellation of all outdoor events, including livestock and non-livestock related events, during the year-end and New Year's holidays, including the Geumseongsan Sunrise Event on 1/1, to prevent further spread of the disease to other farms. Avian influenza could spread across farms through contamination from vehicles or boots. Surveillance, disinfection, quarantine, and movement restrictions were all intensified as well. The city also recommended that local organizations and social groups cancel any large-scale outdoor events. Officials stated that they believe the risk of HPAI infectivity and HPAI outbreaks is 10 and 20 times higher, respectively, due to the early and increased presence of infected migratory wild birds. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: Raw oysters can be contaminated with germs at any time of year. Organizations may want to reconsider selling or serving raw oyster products in the US while a multi-state Salmonella outbreak investigation is ongoing. Anyone with raw oysters at their workplace or home should either dispose of them or cook them thoroughly before eating them. People at high risk of Salmonella-related complications may wish to avoid eating all raw oyster products while this investigation is ongoing.

Situation: The US CDC reported an outbreak of Salmonella linked to raw oysters that sickened 64 people in 22 states, with 20 hospitalizations reported and no deaths. Of the 27 people interviewed so far, 20 (74%) reported eating raw oysters. Health officials stated that hospitalization rates are higher than typically seen in Salmonella outbreaks linked to oysters. The investigation is ongoing to determine a possible common source, though no recall has been issued so far. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: China reports avian influenza H9N2 human cases sporadically. Historically, the risk of an outbreak has been extremely low since human-to-human transmission does not usually occur. Employees in or traveling to China should avoid live-animal markets and not have contact with or consume diseased poultry.

Situation: Hong Kong health officials reported 3 new H9N2 human cases in mainland China. The 3 cases, which were detected in Guangdong, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Hubei, all reported a symptom onset in November. Mainland China previously recorded 15 H9N2 cases and no deaths in the past 6 months. [Confidence: Very High]