CDC Update - Captain Trips H5N1
Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) [virus infection] occurred among poultry in 8 countries in Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao, South Korea, Thailand, and Viet Nam) during late 2003 and early 2004.
At that time, more than 100 million birds either died from the disease or were culled.
From 30 Dec 2003 to 17 Mar 2004, 12 confirmed human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) [virus infection] were reported in Thailand and 23 in Viet Nam, resulting in a total of 23 deaths.
Beginning in late June 2004, new lethal outbreaks of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection among poultry were reported by several countries in Asia: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia (first-time reports), Thailand, and Viet Nam.
As of 21 Jul 2005, there have been 109 human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in Viet Nam (87), Thailand (17), Cambodia (4) and Indonesia (1) resulting in 55 deaths.
Recent research findings give further cause for concern. New research suggests that currently circulating strains of H5 viruses are becoming more capable of causing disease (pathogenic) for mammals (cats, tigers, pigs) than earlier H5 viruses and are becoming more widespread in birds (chickens, turkeys, ducks) in the region.
Possible person-to-person transmission of H5N1 viruses is being investigated in several clusters of cases in Viet Nam.
If these H5N1 viruses gain the ability for efficient and sustained transmission between humans, there is little preexisting natural immunity to H5N1 infection in the human population, and an influenza pandemic could result, with high rates of illness and death.
In addition, genetic sequencing of influenza A (H5N1) virus samples from human cases in Viet Nam and Thailand shows resistance to the antiviral medications amantadine and rimantadine, two of the medications commonly used for treatment of influenza.
This would leave two remaining antiviral medications (oseltamivir and zanamivir) that should still be effective against currently circulating strains of H5N1 virus.
Vaccine reference virus strains already have been made and provided to manufacturers to produce pilot lots for human clinical trials as well as to produce a larger quantity of H5N1 vaccine, but mass production and availability of such a vaccine is some time off.
Full Text From CDC
At that time, more than 100 million birds either died from the disease or were culled.
From 30 Dec 2003 to 17 Mar 2004, 12 confirmed human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) [virus infection] were reported in Thailand and 23 in Viet Nam, resulting in a total of 23 deaths.
Beginning in late June 2004, new lethal outbreaks of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection among poultry were reported by several countries in Asia: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia (first-time reports), Thailand, and Viet Nam.
As of 21 Jul 2005, there have been 109 human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in Viet Nam (87), Thailand (17), Cambodia (4) and Indonesia (1) resulting in 55 deaths.
Recent research findings give further cause for concern. New research suggests that currently circulating strains of H5 viruses are becoming more capable of causing disease (pathogenic) for mammals (cats, tigers, pigs) than earlier H5 viruses and are becoming more widespread in birds (chickens, turkeys, ducks) in the region.
Possible person-to-person transmission of H5N1 viruses is being investigated in several clusters of cases in Viet Nam.
If these H5N1 viruses gain the ability for efficient and sustained transmission between humans, there is little preexisting natural immunity to H5N1 infection in the human population, and an influenza pandemic could result, with high rates of illness and death.
In addition, genetic sequencing of influenza A (H5N1) virus samples from human cases in Viet Nam and Thailand shows resistance to the antiviral medications amantadine and rimantadine, two of the medications commonly used for treatment of influenza.
This would leave two remaining antiviral medications (oseltamivir and zanamivir) that should still be effective against currently circulating strains of H5N1 virus.
Vaccine reference virus strains already have been made and provided to manufacturers to produce pilot lots for human clinical trials as well as to produce a larger quantity of H5N1 vaccine, but mass production and availability of such a vaccine is some time off.
Full Text From CDC
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