Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detection of an avian lineage influenza A(H7N2) virus in air and surface samples at a New York City feline quarantine facility.
- Journal:
- Influenza and other respiratory viruses
- Year:
- 2018
- Authors:
- Blachere, Francoise M et al.
- Affiliation:
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health · United States
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
In December 2016, there was an outbreak of a type of bird flu called avian influenza A(H7N2) that affected cats in a New York City animal shelter and spread to other shelters in the area. To manage the situation, 500 cats were moved to a temporary quarantine facility for monitoring and treatment. Researchers collected air and surface samples from this facility to check for the virus and found it in nearly all the air samples and many of the surface samples, indicating that the virus could spread through the air or by touching contaminated surfaces. This study highlighted the need for ongoing monitoring and safety measures to protect both the cats and the workers caring for them.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In December 2016, an outbreak of low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) A(H7N2) occurred in cats at a New York City animal shelter and quickly spread to other shelters in New York and Pennsylvania. The A(H7N2) virus also spread to an attending veterinarian. In response, 500 cats were transferred from these shelters to a temporary quarantine facility for continued monitoring and treatment. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the occupational risk of A(H7N2) exposure among emergency response workers at the feline quarantine facility. METHODS: Aerosol and surface samples were collected from inside and outside the isolation zones of the quarantine facility. Samples were screened for A(H7N2) by quantitative RT-PCR and analyzed in embryonated chicken eggs for infectious virus. RESULTS: H7N2 virus was detected by RT-PCR in 28 of 29 aerosol samples collected in the high-risk isolation (hot) zone with 70.9% on particles with aerodynamic diameters >4 μm, 27.7% in 1-4 μm, and 1.4% in <1 μm. Seventeen of 22 surface samples from the high-risk isolation zone were also H7N2 positive with an average M1 copy number of 1.3 × 10. Passage of aerosol and surface samples in eggs confirmed that infectious virus was present throughout the high-risk zones in the quarantine facility. CONCLUSIONS: By measuring particle size, distribution, and infectivity, our study suggests that the A(H7N2) virus had the potential to spread by airborne transmission and/or direct contact with viral-laden fomites. These results warranted continued A(H7N2) surveillance and transmission-based precautions during the treatment and care of infected cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29768714/