title: Lack of evidence of avian-to-human transmission of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus among poultry workers, Kano, Nigeria, 2006.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In February 2006, poultry outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus were confirmed in Nigeria. A serosurvey was conducted to assess H5N1 transmission among poultry workers and laboratory workers in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 21 March through 3 April 2006, 295 poultry workers and 25 laboratory workers with suspected exposure to H5N1 virus were administered a questionnaire to assess H5N1 exposures, medical history, and health care utilization. A serum specimen was collected from participants to test for H5N1 neutralizing antibodies by microneutralization assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 295 poultry workers reported a median of 14 days of exposure to suspected or confirmed H5N1-infected poultry without antiviral chemoprophylaxis and with minimal personal protective equipment. Among 25 laboratory workers, all handled poultry specimens with suspected H5N1 virus infection. All participants tested negative for H5N1 neutralizing antibodies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite widespread exposure to poultry likely infected with H5N1 virus, no serological evidence of H5N1 virus infection was identified among participants. Continued surveillance for H5N1 cases in humans and further seroprevalence investigations are needed to assess the risk of avian-to-human transmission, given that H5N1 viruses continue to circulate and evolve among poultry.
authors.affiliation: Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Justin R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Mohammed N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Mahmoud
authors.forename: Saidu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Shehu I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Bawa
authors.forename: Eileen C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Farnon
authors.forename: Mohammed B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Sarki
authors.forename: Abdussalam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nasidi
authors.forename: Muhammed S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ado
authors.forename: Abdulrazak H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Yahaya
authors.forename: Tony M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Joannis
authors.forename: Raphael S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Akpan
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vertefeuille
authors.forename: Jenna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Achenbach
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Breiman
authors.forename: Jacqueline M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Uyeki
authors.forename: Sadiq S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wali
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D007753:Laboratories; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011200:Poultry / Q000821:virology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral