title: Lack of evidence of avian-to-human transmission of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus among veterinarians, Guangdong, China, 2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cases of human infections with H5N1 avian influenza viruses have been reported all over the world with the reason of direct contact with sick or diseased poultry, which suggests the direct contact with poultry may be one of the major risk factors for human infection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we estimated the seroprevalence of antibodies against avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in veterinarians with exposure to avians.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 21, 2011 through April 22, 2012, 406 veterinarians exposure to poultry in Guangdong province were interviewed a questionnaire. A serum specimen was collected from participants to test for H5N1 antibodies by HI and NT assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the 406 sera from occupationally exposed veterinarians was positive according to the HI test and the NT test with the H5N1 AIV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our seroepidemiologic survey suggests that the risk of avian-to-human transmission of the H5N1 AIV is very low based on the samples that we tested. However, prevention regarding the risk of H5N1 AIV transmission is essential and should be recommended as public health measures.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Shuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Zhangyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.forename: Wanjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Peirong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.forename: Changwen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.forename: Wenbao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Likai
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Zhenwen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Huanbin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Wenming
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Shoujun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Guihong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018634:Veterinarians; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral