The regulation for the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Campaign: Autumn-Winter 2024-2025, now includes laboratory professionals involved in the analysis of influenza viruses in animals and influenza outbreak management teams.

Also included are workers involved in the slaughter and disposal of waste in livestock establishments (poultry, pigs and cattle) and in livestock production (poultry, pigs and cattle), as well as other breeders who deal with domestic animals.

On January 7, the DGS published Guideline No. 001/2025, relating to “Zoonotic influenza or other influenza viruses of animal origin - Public Health Approach and Clinical Approach”, in the context of the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks that have been detected globally, including in Europe and Portugal.

The Guidance, aimed at professionals in the Health System, covers aspects inherent to early detection, case management, notification, diagnosis, treatment, epidemiological investigation, contact management, testing, chemoprophylaxis, vaccination, risk communication based on the most current recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The DGS highlights that the transmission of the H5N1 virus to humans is a rare event, with sporadic cases recorded globally.

However, if it occurs, the infection can manifest itself with a serious clinical picture, 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 mainly in contexts of occupational exposure through direct or close contact with infected animals or with tissues, feathers, excrement or inhalation of viruses 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.

The 2024-2025 autumn-winter seasonal vaccination campaign against influenza and Covid-19 began on September 20 at around 3,500 vaccination points across the country, with the aim of vaccinating 2.5 million people.