Zoonotic influenza is a disease that can be transmitted between animals and humans, such as avian flu, and this vaccine prevents transmission.

"This standard aims to describe the vaccination strategy against zoonotic influenza in order to mitigate the risk of a zoonotic influenza pandemic, acting at the level of pre-exposure to the virus and consolidating the clinical and public health approach to exposed human cases," the text states.

These include "workers eligible for the vaccine": those who are part of "rapid response teams and management of zoonotic influenza outbreaks in animals," "laboratory professionals involved in the collection, handling, and analysis of samples potentially contaminated by zoonotic influenza viruses," and employees of "Wild Animal Recovery Centers (CRAS), the Nature and Environmental Protection Service (SEPNA), wildlife rangers from the Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation (ICNF), and municipal/municipal veterinary services who come into direct contact with sick or dead birds."

The goal of this vaccination strategy is to "reduce the risk of transmission of zoonotic influenza viruses from infected animals to exposed people," as well as the "risk of outbreaks in humans."

In addition, "seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for people at increased risk of exposure to zoonotic influenza viruses, as a way to reduce the risk of coinfection by different genotypes and genetic reassortment between viruses."

In March, the Ministry of Health had already expanded free access to flu vaccination for professionals at risk of direct exposure to sick or dead animals suspected of having zoonotic influenza.

On January 7, the DGS published Guideline No. 001/2025, regarding "Zoonotic Influenza or Other Influenza Viruses of Animal Origin - Public Health Approach and Clinical Approach," in the context of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks that have been detected globally, including in Europe and Portugal.

The guidance, aimed at professionals in the Unified Health System (SUS), covers aspects inherent to early detection, case management, notification, diagnosis, treatment, epidemiological investigation, contact management, testing, chemoprophylaxis, vaccination, and risk communication based on the most current recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

The DGS emphasizes that transmission of the H5N1 virus to humans is a rare event, with sporadic cases reported globally.

However, if it occurs, the infection can manifest with a severe clinical condition, and the incubation period is usually between two and five days after the last exposure to sick or dead animals.

Transmission of the disease occurs primarily in contexts of occupational exposure through direct or close contact with infected animals or with their tissues, feathers, excrement, or inhalation of the virus through close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

To date, there is no evidence that bird flu can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of food, particularly poultry meat and eggs.


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