Update on Avian Influenza A (H5N1)
Outbreaks of avian influenza A (H5N1) among poultry are ongoing in
several Asian countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Reports of sporadically occurring human cases of influenza A (H5N1)
continued through February 2005.
According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), as of March 7, 2005 there have been 60 confirmed human
cases (44 deaths) of influenza A (H5N1) reported in Asia since January of
2004. The avian influenza A (H5N1) epizootic in Asia poses an important
public health threat as a potential pandemic strain. This epizootic in
Asia is not expected to diminish substantially in the short term, and it
is likely that influenza A (H5N1) infection among birds has become endemic
to the region and that human infections will continue to occur.
Sustained human-to-human transmission of the influenza A (H5N1) virus has
not yet been observed, however probable human-to-human transmission has
been described by Ungchusak et al (N Engl J Med, Jan 27, 2005).
For additional information on avian influenza visit in one of the
following public health web sites:
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