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Info on Avian Flu Tests needed. Publish here: Avian Flu Tests or website review (terms negotiable).
Welcome to the information page about avian bird flu. We have compiled a list of avian bird flu websites at:
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Avian Bird Flu Pandemic, Vaccines, Tests, and News - by www.AvianFluTests.com © 2005 www.AvianFluTests.com
Influenza (Flu)
Influenza is a common disease that can seriously affect, and even kill. The 1918 influenza pandemic caused an estimated 20€“40 million
deaths worldwide. Avian (Bird) Influenza (Flu) Pandemic may occur due to major changes in the viruses, antigenic shift, and there will
be little immunity against the resulting mutated virus. The likelihood of a new pandemic is high. Previous pandemics originated in Southern
Asia, where conditions are favorable for new flu viruses to emerge. (Source: http://www.spc.org.nc/phs/PPHSN/Publications/Guidelines/Influenza/PPHSN-INFLUENZA-GUIDELINES-final.pdf)
The Influenza Pandemic of 1918
The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than the Great War, known today as World War I (WWI), at somewhere between
20 - 40 million people. It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. More people died of influenza in a
single year than in four-years of the Black Death, Bubonic Plague, from 1347 to 1351. Known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe" the influenza of
1918-1919 was a global disaster. (Source: http://www.stanford.edu/group/virus/uda/)
"Bird Flu" Similar to Deadly 1918 Flu, Gene Study Finds - Brian Handwerk for National Geographic News - October 5, 2005
Scientists have reconstructed the genetic code of the deadly 1918 "Spanish flu," which swept the globe and killed an estimated 20 to 40 million people. Among their findings: The 1918 virus strain developed in birds and was similar to the "bird flu" that today has spurred fears of another worldwide epidemic. By studying the once deadly 1918 virus's genetic information, scientists may become better able to predict future pandemics, or widespread epidemics. It may also aid the development of new vaccines, antiviral medicines, and other treatments to cope with flus. (Source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1005_051005_bird_flu.html)
What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of bird flu may depend on which virus caused the infection.
How does bird flu spread?
Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. It is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.
How is bird flu in humans treated?
Studies done in laboratories suggest that the prescription medicines approved for human flu viruses should work in preventing bird flu infection in humans. However, flu viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work. Additional studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of these medicines.
What is the risk to humans from bird flu?
The risk from bird flu is generally low to most people because the viruses occur mainly among birds and do not usually infect humans. However, during an outbreak of bird flu among poultry (domesticated chicken, ducks, turkeys), there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with excretions from infected birds. The current outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1) among poultry in Asia and Europe (see below) is an example of a bird flu outbreak that has caused human infections and deaths. In such situations, people should avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces, and should be careful when handling and cooking poultry. For more information about avian influenza and food safety issues, visit the World Health Organization website. In rare instances, limited human-to-human spread of H5N1 virus has occurred, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.
The First Case of H5N1 (Avian Bird Flu) virus infection for human
In 1997. However, the first case of spread from a bird to a human was seen during an outbreak of bird flu in poultry in Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region. The virus caused severe respiratory illness in 18 people, 6 of whom died. Since that time, there have been other cases of H5N1 infection among humans. Recent human cases of H5N1 infection that have occurred in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam have coincided with large H5N1 outbreaks in poultry.
What is an avian influenza A (H5N1) virus?
Influenza A (H5N1) virus €“ also called €œH5N1 virus€ €“ is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds. It was first isolated from birds (terns) in South Africa in 1961. Like all bird flu viruses, H5N1 virus circulates among birds worldwide, is very contagious among birds, and can be deadly.
What is the H5N1 bird flu that has been reported in Asia and Europe?
Outbreaks of influenza H5N1 occurred among poultry in eight countries in Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos , South Korea , Thailand , and Vietnam) during late 2003 and early 2004. At that time, more than 100 million birds in the affected countries either died from the disease or were killed in order to try to control the outbreak. By March 2004, the outbreak was reported to be under control. Beginning in late June 2004, however, new outbreaks of influenza H5N1 among poultry were reported by several countries in Asia (Cambodia, China [ Tibet ], Indonesia, Kazakhastan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Russia [ Siberia ], Thailand, and Vietnam). It is believed that these outbreaks are ongoing. Most recently, influenza H5N1 has been reported among poultry in Turkey and Romania. Human infections of influenza A (H5N1) have been reported in Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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Bird flu is global threat, say EU ministers - James Sturcke and agencies (Tuesday October 18, 2005)
EU foreign ministers today said the spread of bird flu from Asia into Europe presented a "global threat" requiring broad international cooperation.
The British foreign secretary, Jack Straw, chairing the EU meeting, said authorities wanted to reassure people that every precaution was being taken to prevent the bird flu outbreak mutating into a pandemic that could kill humans.
Greece today banned the export of live birds and poultry meat from its Aegean Sea islands, where the first case of bird flu in the EU was confirmed yesterday.
Romania works to contain bird flu strain - CNN.com (Sunday, October 16, 2005)
BUCHAREST, Romania (CNN) -- Romanian health officials took steps Sunday to contain a deadly strain of bird flu that has killed at least 60 people in Asia and was confirmed late last week to have spread to Europe.
Officials were spraying disinfectant on the tires of vehicles departing Tuleca and Constanza counties -- near the Black Sea, where the H5N1 strain was discovered, said Minister of Agriculture Ghearghe Flutur.
Flutur said the situation was under control and that although Romania does not need international help, it will not refuse offers from the European Union and the United States.
H5N1 Avian Influenza (AI): Most Recent Developments and Actions
- by U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Source: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/home/News/news_items/actions.html
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A woman tends live chickens and ducks in a wet market in Hanoi, Vietnam, where poultry and other birds are sold live and slaughtered in the market or at home. The close proximity of different bird and animal species in wet markets can facilitate the spread of diseases such as avian influenza between animals and from animals to humans.
Source: Ben Zinner/USAID |
Updated September 19, 2005
New News
- New human case suspected in Indonesia: Indonesian health officials announced that initial tests on a 37 year-old woman in Jakarta who died of flu-like symptoms on September 10 show she may have been infected with the H5N1 virus. If confirmed, this would be the fourth human case detected in Indonesia since July 2005. The World Health Organization (WHO), which has officially confirmed only one of the cases, warned that additional human cases are likely.
- World Health Organization (WHO) issues global guidance for pandemic threat: WHO released a new global guidance document entitled "Responding to the Avian Influenza Pandemic Threat" that includes specific steps and recommendations for individual nations and the international community to prepare for a global influenza pandemic.
- Italy to bolster prevention measures: Italian Health Minister Francesco Storace stressed the importance of preparing for the possibility of a human flu pandemic and announced plans for a national law decree that would increase human and animal prevention efforts and stockpile essential medicines.
- Middle East increasingly concerned about bird flu spread: In response to increasing concern that migratory birds could spread avian influenza into the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates announced plans to increase animal disease surveillance and conduct public awareness campaigns to prevent the virus from spreading into the region.
- South Africa continuing monitoring for bird flu outbreaks: South African Ministry for Agriculture and Land Affairs Thoko Didiza declared the country free of bird flu, and assured that the government will continue to monitor chicken and ostrich flocks. Outbreaks of H5N2, a strain less dangerous to humans than H5N1, among ostriches in 2004 resulted in quarantines and trade restrictions that threatened the country’s poultry industry.
- New bird flu outbreaks in Thailand: New outbreaks of Avian Influenza were detected in late August 2005 among free-range and backyard poultry in central Thailand. Thai authorities have responded with containment measures including culling infected and exposed animals and stepping up human and animal surveillance in the area.
- Bird Flu in Kazakhstan: Avian Influenza has been confirmed in seven villages across northern Kazakhstan. Public health officials fear that the virus will spread westward, as migratory birds head in that direction.
- European Union (EU) takes steps to head-off bird flu: At a meeting on August 25th, the European Commission called on EU member states to increase surveillance and other measures to prevent the spread of Avian Influenza into Western Europe. The EU has enacted restrictions on poultry imports from all AI-affected countries, and Germany and the Netherlands have ordered free-range poultry farms to move their stocks indoors to prevent contact with wild birds.
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A vendor sells both live and prepared poultry products on a crowded street in Hanoi, Vietnam. Source: Ben Zinner/USAID |
New USAID Actions
- President Bush announces new international partnership: At the High-Level Plenary Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on September 14, 2005, President Bush announced a new, U.S.-led International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza (IPAPI) and invited all nations to participate. The partnership will require countries to immediately share information about human infections and provide samples to WHO for ensuring a rapid response to reported outbreaks. USAID worked closely with the White House and other U.S. Government (USG) agencies to conceptualize the partnership, and is on the front lines of the USG international response to Avian Influenza.
- USG Inter-Agency Task Force meets in Philippines: An interagency task force – with participation from USAID, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), State Department and the Peace Corps – met in Philippines on September 2 to discuss the status of avian flu and U.S. Government preparations, responsibilities, and immediate tasks to support AI control and pandemic preparedness.
- U.S. Government assessment team visiting China, Indonesia: A U.S. Government assessment team led by USAID has departed for Indonesia and China to assess the current situation and hold bilateral discussions related to a $25 million supplemental appropriation signed by President Bush in May 2005. The team will make recommendations for U.S. Government support for AI containment and prevention efforts in these two countries, wrapping-up an in-country assessment process begun in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in July.
- Latin America and Caribbean missions engaged on AI preparedness: On September 12, staff from USAID's Bureau for Global Health and the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) spoke with health staff from all Agency missions in the LAC region to discuss steps to strengthen pandemic preparedness and coordination.
- USAID briefs State Department’s Europe and Eurasia office on AI: On September 8, the USAID infectious disease experts briefed State Department staff from Europe and Eurasia and the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary of State on the H5N1 virus, the status of outbreaks in Russia and Kazakhstan, and possible implications for the region.
- USAID engaging nongovernmental organization (NGO) community to explore role in AI response: USAID and representatives of CARE International have begun exploring strategies for engaging the resources and capacities of the broader NGO community in a coordinated response to Avian Influenza. USAID representatives also met with private and voluntary organizations who are partners of the Child Survival Core Group to discuss their possible role in ongoing efforts.
- HHS, CDC and NIAID chiefs visit USAID: On September 19, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mike Leavitt, along with the Directors of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Julie Gerberding and Anthony Fauci, visited USAID to discuss avian and pandemic influenza with Agency senior staff.
- Administrator Natsios highlights USAID’s key role in international response: At a briefing for Agency senior staff on September 8 on new developments with Avian Influenza, USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios highlighted that USAID is on the front lines of the U.S. Government response to AI and will play a key role in strengthening pandemic preparedness and response capacities in developing countries.
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Villagers and domesticated ducks rest on a backyard farm in Kampot Province of southern Cambodia, where the country’s four confirmed human cases of H5N1 have occurred since January 2005. On many such farms – some 80 to 90 percent of Cambodian poultry is raised in family or semi-commercial farms with less than 1000 birds – free-range poultry and other domesticated animals come into frequent contact with migratory birds, humans and animals, increasing the risk of disease transmission. Source: Ben Zinner/USAID |
USAID working closely with WHO: USAID continues to collaborate closely with WHO to ensure a coordinated international response to the avian influenza threat. USAID will participate in a new External Advisory Group that will provide guidance to the WHO’s regional office for the Americas, the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), on a variety of strategic and operational issues related to pandemic influenza preparedness. On September 19, representatives from USAID and WHO held a conference call to discuss coordination on communications and public awareness strategies designed to support AI surveillance and containment efforts in Southeast Asia.
- USAID meets with FAO in Rome: USAID Senior Infectious Disease Advisor, Dr. Dennis Carroll, met with representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at their headquarters in Rome to discuss ongoing coordination and activities for AI control in Asia to be supported by U.S. emergency assistance.
- USAID developing private sector outreach strategy on AI: USAID is leading the development of a communications and outreach strategy for the U.S. Government to engage the international business community and other donors in responding to the AI threat. Private sector firms will play a key role in increasing the availability of essential commodities, incentives, and technical and financial support for containing current outbreaks and preparing against the possible economic and social consequences of a flu pandemic.
Related USAID Programs
Additional Information on Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
| Flu Home > Avian Flu > |
Key Facts About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus
October 17, 2005 |
 Download PDF version formatted for print (119 KB/3 pages) |
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This fact sheet provides general information about bird flu and information about one type of bird flu, called avian influenza A (H5N1) that is infecting birds in Asia and has infected some humans.
Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.
Do bird flu viruses infect humans?
Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997.
How are bird flu viruses different from human flu viruses?
There are many different subtypes of type A influenza viruses. These subtypes differ because of certain proteins on the surface of the influenza A virus (hemagglutinin [HA] and neuraminidase [NA] proteins). There are 16 different HA subtypes and 9 different NA subtypes of flu A viruses. Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible. Each combination is a different subtype. All known subtypes of flu A viruses can be found in birds. However, when we talk about €œbird flu€ viruses, we are referring to influenza A subtypes chiefly found in birds. They do not usually infect humans, even though we know they can. When we talk about €œhuman flu viruses€ we are referring to those subtypes that occur widely in humans. There are only three known A subtypes of human flu viruses (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2); it is likely that some genetic parts of current human influenza A viruses came from birds originally. Influenza A viruses are constantly changing, and they might adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.
What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of bird flu may depend on which virus caused the infection.
How does bird flu spread?
Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. It is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.
How is bird flu in humans treated?
Studies done in laboratories suggest that the prescription medicines approved for human flu viruses should work in preventing bird flu infection in humans. However, flu viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work. Additional studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of these medicines.
What is the risk to humans from bird flu?
The risk from bird flu is generally low to most people because the viruses occur mainly among birds and do not usually infect humans. However, during an outbreak of bird flu among poultry (domesticated chicken, ducks, turkeys), there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with excretions from infected birds. The current outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1) among poultry in Asia and Europe (see below) is an example of a bird flu outbreak that has caused human infections and deaths. In such situations, people should avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces, and should be careful when handling and cooking poultry. For more information about avian influenza and food safety issues, visit the World Health Organization website. In rare instances, limited human-to-human spread of H5N1 virus has occurred, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.
What is an avian influenza A (H5N1) virus?
Influenza A (H5N1) virus €“ also called €œH5N1 virus€ €“ is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds. It was first isolated from birds (terns) in South Africa in 1961. Like all bird flu viruses, H5N1 virus circulates among birds worldwide, is very contagious among birds, and can be deadly.
What is the H5N1 bird flu that has been reported in Asia and Europe?
Outbreaks of influenza H5N1 occurred among poultry in eight countries in Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos , South Korea , Thailand , and Vietnam) during late 2003 and early 2004. At that time, more than 100 million birds in the affected countries either died from the disease or were killed in order to try to control the outbreak. By March 2004, the outbreak was reported to be under control. Beginning in late June 2004, however, new outbreaks of influenza H5N1 among poultry were reported by several countries in Asia (Cambodia, China [ Tibet ], Indonesia, Kazakhastan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Russia [ Siberia ], Thailand, and Vietnam). It is believed that these outbreaks are ongoing. Most recently, influenza H5N1 has been reported among poultry in Turkey and Romania. Human infections of influenza A (H5N1) have been reported in Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
What is the risk to humans from the H5N1 virus in Asia and Europe?
The H5N1 virus does not usually infect humans. In 1997. However, the first case of spread from a bird to a human was seen during an outbreak of bird flu in poultry in Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region. The virus caused severe respiratory illness in 18 people, 6 of whom died. Since that time, there have been other cases of H5N1 infection among humans. Recent human cases of H5N1 infection that have occurred in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam have coincided with large H5N1 outbreaks in poultry. The World Health Organization (WHO) also has reported human cases in Indonesia. Most of these cases have occurred from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces; however, it is thought that a few cases of human-to-human spread of H5N1 have occurred.
So far, spread of H5N1 virus from person to person has been rare and has not continued beyond one person. However, because all influenza viruses have the ability to change, scientists are concerned that the H5N1 virus one day could be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another. Because these viruses do not commonly infect humans, there is little or no immune protection against them in the human population. If the H5N1 virus were able to infect people and spread easily from person to person, an influenza pandemic (worldwide outbreak of disease) could begin. No one can predict when a pandemic might occur. However, experts from around the world are watching the H5N1 situation in Asia very closely and are preparing for the possibility that the virus may begin to spread more easily and widely from person to person.
How is infection with H5N1 virus in humans treated?
The H5N1 virus currently infecting birds in Asia that has caused human illness and death is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, two antiviral medications commonly used for influenza. Two other antiviral medications, oseltamavir and zanamavir, would probably work to treat flu caused by the H5N1 virus, but additional studies still need to be done to prove their effectiveness.
Is there a vaccine to protect humans from H5N1 virus?
There currently is no commercially available vaccine to protect humans against the H5N1 virus that is being seen in Asia and Europe . However, vaccine development efforts are taking place. Research studies to test a vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus began in April 2005, and a series of clinical trials is underway. For more information about the H5N1 vaccine development process, visit the National Institutes of Health website.
What is the risk to people in the United States from the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Asia and Europe ?
The current risk to Americans from the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Asia is low. The strain of H5N1 virus found in Asia and Europe has not been found in the United States . There have been no human cases of H5N1 flu in the United States . It is possible that travelers returning from affected countries in Asia could be infected if they were exposed to the virus. Since February 2004, medical and public health personnel have been watching closely to find any such cases.
What does CDC recommend regarding the H5N1 bird flu outbreak?
In February 2004, CDC provided U.S. health departments with recommendations for enhanced surveillance (€œdetection€) in the U.S. of avian influenza A (H5N1). Follow-up messages, distributed via the Health Alert Network, were sent to the health departments on August 12, 2004 , and February 4, 2005 ; both alerts reminded health departments about how to detect (domestic surveillance), diagnose, and prevent the spread of avian influenza A (H5N1). The alerts also recommended measures for laboratory testing for H5N1 virus. CDC currently advises that travelers to countries with known outbreaks of influenza A (H5N1) avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals. CDC does not recommend any travel restrictions to affected countries at this time. For more information, visit Travelers' Health.
What is CDC doing to prepare for a possible H5N1 flu pandemic?
CDC is taking part in a number of pandemic prevention and preparedness activities, including:
- Providing leadership to the National Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Task Force, created in May 2005 by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Working with the Association of Public Health Laboratories on training workshops for state laboratories on the use of special laboratory (molecular) techniques to identify H5 viruses.
- Working with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists and others to help states with their pandemic planning efforts.
- Working with other agencies such as the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration on antiviral stockpile issues.
- Working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Vietnamese Ministry of Health to investigate influenza H5N1 in Vietnam and to provide help in laboratory diagnostics and training to local authorities.
- Performing laboratory testing of H5N1 viruses.
- Starting a $5.5 million initiative to improve influenza surveillance in Asia .
- Holding or taking part in training sessions to improve local capacities to conduct surveillance for possible human cases of H5N1 and to detect influenza A H5 viruses by using laboratory techniques.
- Developing and distributing reagents kits to detect the currently circulating influenza A H5N1 viruses.
Working together with WHO and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on safety testing of vaccine seed candidates and to develop additional vaccine virus seed candidates for influenza A (H5N1) and other subtypes of influenza A virus.
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