If you suspect H5N1 influenza in a patient, ensure you contact the Zone Medical Officer of Health and the Alberta Precision Laboratories Public Health Laboratory microbiologist/virologist on-call (403.944.1110) to facilitate testing prior to submitting specimens.
Consider H5N1 testing for patients with both:
- Acute viral respiratory illness or influenza-like illness
- Exposure to animals with suspected or confirmed H5N1 infection in the preceding 10 days
H5N1 influenza is circulating in Alberta poultry flocks, wild birds, and other animals, and poses an infection risk to humans in close contact with infected animals