Guidance

Avian influenza: guidance for managing human cases

Information to assist with the management of possible and confirmed human cases of avian influenza.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 12 February 2014
• Last updated: 15 August 2025 — See all updates

Documents

Investigation and initial clinical management of possible human cases of avian influenza with potential to cause severe human disease

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Details

This guidance has been developed to assist with the management of possible or confirmed cases of avian influenza, in particular, H5N6, H5N1 and H7N9, with exposures outside the UK.

For Influenza A(H5) exposures within the UK use Guidance for the management of people exposed to birds or other animals infected with influenza A(H5) - GOV.UK

For non-Influenza A(H5) exposures within the UK, for example A(H7), use the strict approach in Managing the human health risk of avian influenza in poultry and wild birds: Guidance for health protection teams 

In relation to persons exposed to confirmed detections of avian influenza in avian or mammalian species outside the UK, use Investigation and initial clinical management of possible human cases of avian influenza with potential to cause severe human disease - GOV.UK

Contact your local health protection team for advice and support, particularly in situations that are outside the scope of the guidance.

Published 12 February 2014

Last updated 15 August 2025 + show all updates

1. 15 August 2025

   Added additional information in Details section.

2. 28 February 2024

   Updated contact information in the attachment.

3. 17 October 2023

   Updated email address.

4. 17 November 2021

   Updated guidance.

5. 13 January 2020

   Updated avian influenza guidance.

6. 4 June 2019

   Updated avian influenza guidance document.

7. 5 April 2019

   Added updated versions of documents.

8. 12 February 2014

   First published.