Table 2.

Case definition for possible cases of avian influenza associated with severe human disease

Clinical criteria

a) Fever ≥38°C and lower respiratory tract symptoms (cough or shortness of breath) or chest radiograph findings of consolidation or acute respiratory distress syndrome

or

b) Other severe/life-threatening illness suggestive of an infectious process

Exposure criteria

(1) Close contact (within 1 metre) with live, dying or dead domestic poultry or wild birds, including live bird markets, in an area of the world affected by avian influenza or with any confirmed infected animal, in the 10 days before the onset of symptoms or (2) In the 10 days before the onset of symptoms, close contact with: •a confirmed human case of avian influenza or •human case(s) of unexplained illness resulting in death from affected areas or •human case(s) of severe unexplained respiratory illness from affected areas

Source: From Public Health England guidance (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/857436/Avian_flu_human_cases_guidance_Jan2020.pdf) on ‘Investigation and initial clinical management of possible human cases of avian influenza viruses that have been associated with severe human disease, v2, 2020’.