17 June 2005

Avian influenza update

The World Health Organization (WHO) are aware of media reports suggesting that six further cases of human avian influenza (H5N1) have occurred in Viet Nam. [1]

The patients are undergoing treatment in hospital in Hanoi . The report has not been officially confirmed by national authorities. There are also unconfirmed reports that a health care worker at the same hospital may be infected.

WHO is seeking further information from Viet Nam 's Ministry of Health.

The cumulative number of confirmed human cases can be found on the WHO's avian influenza website.

There are no travel restrictions to affected countries in Asia ( Viet Nam , Thailand , Cambodia , Indonesia , Laos and the People's Republic of China ). For details of regions within these countries that are affected the World Organisation for Animal Health can be consulted. (See link below)

Travellers are reminded of the following precautions:

• Avoid contact with live poultry and wild birds
• Avoid visiting live animal markets and poultry farms
• Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with animal faeces
• Do not eat or handle undercooked or raw poultry, egg or duck dishes
• Exercise good personal hygiene with frequent hand washing
• Do not attempt to bring any live poultry products back to the UK

It is not recommended that travellers take with them the neuraminidase inhibitor, Oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

Reference

World Health Organization. Avian influenza - situation in Viet Nam - update 21. 16 June 2005 . http://www.who.int/csr/don/2005_06_16a/en/index.html

Links

World Health Organization Avian Influenza:

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/

World Organisation for Animal Health:

http://www.oie.int/eng/en_index.htm