REGULATORY UPDATE: AABB Updates Influenza A and B Viruses Fact Sheet
January 15, 2025
The Emerging Infectious Work Group of AABB’s Transfusion-Transmitted Disease Committee recently updated AABB’s
Influenza A and B Viruses Fact Sheet to recognize current developments regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1).
As of mid-December 2024, the virus has been detected in wild birds in 50 states or territories and in mammals in 20 states, particularly in dairy herds. The first human infections with the current HPAI A(H5N1) strain were detected in March 2024 after dairy herd exposure. By mid-December, 60 cases had been recognized, nearly all of which were associated with mild symptoms. Human-to-human transmission has not been documented. Transfusion transmission in humans has also never been documented.
The update is based on available information. AABB will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available.
