title: Risk of influenza A (H5N1) infection among poultry workers, Hong Kong, 1997-1998.
abstract: In 1997, outbreaks of highly pathogenic influenza A (H5N1) among poultry coincided with 18 documented human cases of H5N1 illness. Although exposure to live poultry was associated with human illness, no cases were documented among poultry workers (PWs). To evaluate the potential for avian-to-human transmission of H5N1, a cohort study was conducted among 293 Hong Kong government workers (GWs) who participated in a poultry culling operation and among 1525 PWs. Paired serum samples collected from GWs and single serum samples collected from PWs were considered to be anti-H5 antibody positive if they were positive by both microneutralization and Western blot testing. Among GWs, 3% were seropositive, and 1 seroconversion was documented. Among PWs, approximately 10% had anti-H5 antibody. More-intensive poultry exposure, such as butchering and exposure to ill poultry, was associated with having anti-H5 antibody. These findings suggest an increased risk for avian influenza infection from occupational exposure.
authors.affiliation: Influenza Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, MS A-32, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. CBridges@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Carolyn Buxton
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Bridges
authors.forename: Wilina
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu-Primmer
authors.forename: Les
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sims
authors.forename: Keiji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Conn
authors.forename: Xiuhua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Jacqueline M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D009980:Influenza A virus; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011200:Poultry / Q000821:virology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013997:Time Factors