Avian influenza historical perspective
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D.
Overview
Avian influenza was first described by Perroncito in 1878 in northern Italy following an outbreak of contagious disease of poultry. The first major human influenza (influenza A H1N1) pandemic was reported in 1918. The first influenza A H5N1 virus infection in humans was described in 1997 in Hong Kong, where 18 cases were documented (including 6 deaths). The first human-to-human transmission of avian influenza infection was described in 2003 during the outbreaks in Southeast and Central Asia.
Historical Perspective
- Avian influenza was first described by Perroncito in 1878 in northern Italy following an outbreak of contagious disease of poultry. In 1984 and 1901, subsequent outbreaks were reported in Italy, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and France.
- All viral forms were considered highly pathological avian influenza (HPAI) forms of H7 subtype until mid-1950s. After that, other H subtypes were subsequently isolated. In 1960, a new less virulent "N" subtype of avian influenza was isolated in Germany.
- The first major human influenza (influenza A H1N1) pandemic was reported in 1918. The infleunza was an avian-descended virus that underwent adaptive mutations of unknown mechanisms.
- The first influenza A H5N1 virus infection in humans was described in 1997 in Hong Kong, where 18 cases were documented (including 6 deaths).
- In 2003, the largest non-H5N1 outbreak occurred in Netherlands, where 89 cases were documented (including 1 death). It is hypothesized that during the Netherlands outbreak, the first human-to-human transmission may have occurred.
- In 2003, human-to-human transmission of avian influenza was first reported during the influenza A H5N1 outbreaks in Southeast and Central Asia.
- It has been speculated that following genetic mutations, the avian influenza virus may be evolving into more virulent and fatal forms, with increased rates of severe clinical manifestations.