Avian influenza
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
H5N1
Template:H5N1 Template:Details more The highly pathogenic Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 virus is an emerging avian influenza virus that has been causing global concern as a potential pandemic threat. It is often referred to simply as "bird flu" or "avian influenza" even though it is only one subtype of avian influenza causing virus.
H5N1 has killed millions of poultry in a growing number of countries throughout Asia, Europe and Africa. Health experts are concerned that the co-existence of human flu viruses and avian flu viruses (especially H5N1) will provide an opportunity for genetic material to be exchanged between species-specific viruses, possibly creating a new virulent influenza strain that is easily transmissible and lethal to humans.[1]
Since the first H5N1 outbreak occurred in 1997, there has been an increasing number of HPAI H5N1 bird-to-human transmissions leading to clinically severe and fatal human infections. However, because there is a significant species barrier that exists between birds and humans, the virus does not easily cross over to humans, though some cases of infection are being researched to discern whether human to human transmission is occurring.[2] More research is necessary to understand the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the H5N1 virus in humans. Exposure routes and other disease transmission characteristics such as genetic and immunological factors, that may increase the likelihood of infection, are not clearly understood. [3]
Although millions of birds have become infected with the virus since its discovery, 206 humans have died from the H5N1 in twelve countries according to WHO data as of November 2007. (View the most current WHO Data regarding Cumulative Number of Human Cases.)
The Avian Flu claimed at least 200 humans in Romania, Greece, Turkey and Russia. Epidemioloigists are afraid that the next time such a virus mutates, it could pass from human to human. If this form of transmission occurs, another big pandemic could result. However, disease-control centers around the world are making avian flu their top priority.
Related Chapters
- H5N1
- Global spread of H5N1
- Transmission and infection of H5N1
- Subtypes of Influenza A virus
- Influenzavirus A
- Influenza pandemic
- Influenza Genome Sequencing Project
- Influenza research
- Influenza vaccine
- OIE/FAO Network of Expertise on Avian Influenza
- International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza
- Pandemic Preparedness and Response Act
References
- ↑ Food Safety Research Information Office. "A Focus on Avian Influenza". Created May 2006, Updated November 2007.
- ↑
- ↑ World Health Organization. (2006). Avian influenza (" bird flu") – The Disease in Humans. Retrieved April 6, 2006.
External links
- International
- World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)
- FAO Avian Influenza portal Information resources, animations, videos, photos
- FAO Bird Flu disease card
- World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
- United States
- PandemicFlu.Gov U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information
- US Avian Influenza Response U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
- Europe
- Avian Influenza: Prevention and Control Proceedings of the Frontis workshop on Avian Influenza: Prevention and Control, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Other
- Flu Wiki
- Bird Flu Pandemic Alert and Breaking News
- The spread of avian flu with time; new maps exploiting Google Earth’s time series function updated Google Earth maps of bird flu spread by Nature reporter Declan Butler
- birdfluthreat.org information page