Veterinary infection preventionists (IPs) are facing increasing challenges as the threat of H5N1 avian influenza continues to evolve. During a recent roundtable discussion with Infection Control Today (ICT), guest veterinary infection preventionists (IPs), Leslie Kollmann, BS, AAS, CVT, CIC; Denise Waiting, LVT; and Leslie Landis, BS, LVT, shared their insights on the current landscape, the gaps in resources and surveillance, and the urgent need for greater collaboration and communication.
“How do we protect our staff [from avian flu]? Because it is threatening to people, and [because] it's a virus, it will mutate at some point. So, it's just challenging,” Kollmann said.
H5N1 has affected a growing number of animal species, including domestic cats, large zoo animals, poultry, and dairy cattle. This spread has raised serious concerns about zoonotic transmission and the risks posed to veterinary staff and pet owners. While the human health care system benefits from centralized resources and real-time guidance from agencies like the CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), veterinary professionals report a significant lack of accessible, up-to-date information tailored to their unique environment.
ICT Speaks With Veterinary Infection Preventionists
Leslie Kollmann, BS, AAS, CVT, CIC, is a certified veterinary technician and board-certified in infection prevention and control. She works in Veterinary Infection Prevention at the Minnesota Department of Health and has 20 years of experience as a vet tech and 15 years in infection prevention. She is also a member of the ICT Editorial Advisory Board.
·Denise Waiting, LVT, is a licensed veterinary technician at Washington State Veterinary Teaching Hospital, with 30 years in the field and 4 years in infection control and biosecurity.
·Leslie Landis, LVT, BS, is a licensed veterinary technician at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, supervising small animal surgery and central sterilization for 25 years and serving as the infection control nurse since 2008.
Waiting said, “[Avian flu] hit hard this last fall, as out of a sanctuary, they lost 20 cats, and there were [only] 3 they could save. But you can't put a sterile roof on all of this. They're losing the chicken farms. If they find one chicken, the whole thing is wiped out.”
The speakers said that many veterinary IPs rely on local networking, diagnostic labs, and state-level organizations to stay informed. These relationships are essential due to the absence of a centralized veterinary infection prevention body. Without formal guidance, teams are building internal systems to track animal cases, educate staff, and triage potentially infectious animals upon clinic arrival.
The guest veterinary IPs emphasized how veterinary medicine faces unique obstacles compared to human health care. Staff often perform multiple roles, including direct care, cleaning, and infection control. Without dedicated personnel or sufficient training, hospitals risk overlooking key biosecurity measures. Surveillance remains limited, especially in smaller clinics, where data collection and trend analysis are rare due to staffing constraints.
“It's great when you find a facility with the resources, tools, and time to address issues, Kollmann said. “Many larger veterinary teaching hospitals receive referrals from smaller clinics. If we can tackle problems in those smaller clinics by improving communication and conducting cultures and then sharing those results with the hospitals they refer to, we can teach them how to manage infections and protect animals during transport. This would significantly reduce transmission issues. Larger teaching hospitals are beginning to understand this, responding to outbreaks and emerging pathogens due to their high caseload. However, we need to extend this understanding to smaller facilities where implementing infection prevention is challenging, ensuring they don't send cases to larger hospitals in the first place.”
The discussion highlighted the need for scalable solutions and basic infection control education tailored to veterinary professionals. Establishing shared resources and encouraging more structured infection prevention curricula in veterinary and vet tech training programs are critical next steps.
"I love listening to your perspective," Landis said. "I feel like I struggle so much here; there are not a lot of resources. There are so many roadblocks. It's so difficult, and I'm so spoiled [at my facility]. I hear about what's out there, but in your little world, you don't necessarily think about the struggles that the farms and smaller practices are running into.
Despite these challenges, attendees expressed optimism. Growing awareness, increased collaboration between human and veterinary sectors, and interest from new professionals are laying the groundwork for a more unified and proactive approach to veterinary infection prevention.
“I've also had residents and interns who have come in, and they've done public health as well as their veterinary work,” Waiting said. “I have to tell you, they have been worth their weight in gold. I've picked their brains so much, and when something comes in, we discuss different topics, which has been super helpful for me.”
