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: More US Midwest states detected HPAI on commercial poultry farms, including Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Michigan confirmed HPAI at a commercial turkey meat bird farm on 10/7 in Ottawa County, affecting 30,000 birds. Iowa detected HPAI in a commercial turkey meat flock in Calhoun County, affecting 42,000 birds. Wisconsin confirmed the 2nd HPAI detection in Jefferson County on 10/2 in commercial table egg pullets, affecting 493,300 birds; however, Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture reports 520,298 birds. Finally, Minnesota detected HPAI on several commercial breeder operations on 9/30 in Becker and Otter Tail Counties, affecting 20,000 and 16,300 birds, respectively. Other recent non-poultry HPAI detections can be found at the source link. See PHC alert 9/26 for earlier info. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: The polio vaccine is more than 99% effective in preventing poliovirus infection. The US State Department lists Afghanistan under a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory.

Situation: 2 new wild poliovirus cases were reported this week in the Bermel District, Afghanistan. These cases are the 5th and 6th polio cases of 2025 in Afghanistan. Both cases had symptom onset in September. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: Organizations in Taiwan should provide flexible work schedules to allow sick employees (or those with caregiving duties) to stay home until 48 hours after gastrointestinal symptoms have stopped. Encourage robust hand hygiene.

Situation: Health officials from Taiwan issued an advisory on the enhanced risk of gastrointestinal disease during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. Just over 129,000 outpatient and emergency department visits for diarrhea were recorded in the most recent week of data. 66 diarrhea clusters were reported over the past 4 weeks, mostly in the restaurant and hospitality sectors, driven primarily by norovirus. Officials called for adherence to food hygiene and preparation guidelines to reduce the spread of disease in communal gatherings and dining events common during the holiday. [Confidence: Very High]