News
12 March 2008
Avian influenza (H5N1) – human cases in China, Egypt and Viet Nam
China
The Ministry of Health has confirmed a human case of H5N1avian influenza in a 44 year old female from Guangdong province [1]. The woman developed symptoms on 16 February 2008 and died in hospital on 25 February. She had contact with sick and dead poultry before the onset of symptoms.Egypt
The Ministry of Health and Population has confirmed four human cases of H5N1 avian influenza.
- A four year old female from Menia governorate who developed symptoms on 21 February and is currently in a stable condition [2].
- A 25 year old female from Fayum governorate who developed symptoms on 24 February 2008 and died in hospital [3].
- An 11 year old male from Menofia governorate who developed symptoms on 26 February 2008 and is currently in a critical condition [4].
- An eight year old male from Fayum governorate who developed symptoms on 3 March 2008 and is currently receiving treatment [5].
All four cases are known to have had contact with sick poultry before the onset of symptoms.
Viet Nam
The Ministry of Health has confirmed a human case of H5N1 avian influenza in a 23 year old female from Phu Tho province [6]. She developed symptoms on 14 February 2008 and died in hospital on 25 February. She is known to have had contact with sick and dead poultry before the onset of symptoms.
Global case totals
The global total of confirmed human cases of avian influenza A/H5N1 reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) as of 11 March 2008 is in the table below and can be found on the WHO website at:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/
cases_table_2008_03_11/en/index.html
COUNTRY |
HUMAN CASES as of 11 March 2008 |
DEATHS |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
TOTAL |
||
Azerbaijan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
5 |
Cambodia |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
China |
1 |
0 |
8 |
13 |
5 |
3 |
30 |
20 |
Djibouti |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
25 |
4 |
47 |
20 |
Indonesia |
0 |
0 |
20 |
55 |
42 |
12 |
129 |
105 |
Iraq |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
Lao PDR |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
Myanmar |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Nigeria |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Pakistan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Thailand |
0 |
17 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
25 |
17 |
Turkey |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
4 |
Viet Nam |
3 |
29 |
61 |
0 |
8 |
4 |
105 |
51 |
TOTALS |
4 |
46 |
98 |
115 |
86 |
23 |
372 |
235 (63%) |
WHO case definitions for human infections with influenza A (H5N1) virus are available on the WHO website at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/guidelines/
case_definition2006_08_29/en/index.html
An H5N1 avian influenza timeline of major events is also available at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/ai_timeline/en/
Advice for travellers
Examination of human cases of avian influenza indicates that the greatest risk for transmission from birds to humans comes when there is close human contact with domestic poultry. This is particularly so in settings of diseased household flocks and when there has been slaughtering, de-feathering, and preparation of poultry for consumption. No cases have been linked to consumption of properly cooked meat or eggs.
There are no restrictions for travel to countries with avian influenza. Nevertheless, travellers should exercise precautions [7].
The Health Protection Agency (HPA), Centre for Infections has published an algorithm for the management of travellers or visitors arriving from countries (or areas within countries) affected by avian influenza. These regions are revised as new information is provided from the WHO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on detection of avian influenza. Countries may be removed from the list if they have been declared free of avian influenza.
The HPA has also published a second algorithm for the management of persons resident in the UK or arriving from areas not known to have avian influenza H5N1.
Both algorithms provide guidance for physicians on the recognition, investigation and initial management of persons with a history of fever and respiratory symptoms, after close contact with sick, dying or dead birds within seven days of presentation. The algorithms can be found on the HPA avian influenza guidelines webpage at http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/influenza/avian/
References
1. World Health Organization. Avian influenza – situation in China – update 2. 26 February 2008. [Accessed 12 March 2008]. Available at http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_02_26/en/index.html
2. World Health Organization. Avian influenza – situation in Egypt – update 4. 28 February 2008. [Accessed 12 March 2008]. Available at http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_02_28/en/index.html
3. World Health Organization. Avian influenza – situation in Egypt – update 5. 4 March 2008. [Accessed 12 March 2008]. Available at http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_03_04/en/index.html
4. World Health Organization. Avian influenza – situation in Egypt – update 6. 5 March 2008. [Accessed 12 March 2008]. Available at http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_03_05/en/index.html
5. World Health Organization. Avian influenza – situation in Egypt – update 7. 11 March 2008. [Accessed 12 March 2008]. Available at http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_03_11/en/index.html
6. World Health Organization. Avian influenza – situation in Viet Nam – update 4. 26 February 2008. [Accessed 12 March 2008]. Available at http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_02_26b/en/index.html
7. NaTHNaC. Avian influenza – advice for travellers. 4 July 2006. [Accessed 12 March 2008]. Available at http://www.nathnac.org/travel/news/avianinfluenza_
Disclaimer | Copyright | Privacy | Sitemap | Accessibility