We evaluated the potential for avian-to-human transmission
of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) and highly pathogenic
avian influenza (HPAI) H7N1 and LPAI H7N3 viruses
that were responsible for several outbreaks of influenza in
poultry in Italy between 1999 and 2003. A serological survey
of poultry workers was conducted by use of a combination
of methods. Evidence of anti-H7 antibodies was observed in
3.8% of serum samples collected from poultry workers during
the period in 2003 when LPAI H7N3 virus was circulating.
These findings highlight the need for surveillance in people
occupationally exposed to avian influenza viruses, so that
they can be monitored for the risk of avian-to-human transmission
during outbreaks of avian influenza caused by both
LPAI and HPAI viruses.
Serological Analysis of Serum samples from humans exposed to avian .pdf