Situation update
Outbreaks of influenza affecting many thousands and sometimes millions of people with high mortality occurred in 1918 (Spanish), 1957 (Asian), 1968 (Hong Kong) and 1977 (Russian). New subtypes of influenza caused these pandemics. These were probably formed by combination of genes from both avian and human influenza viruses. Emergence of new highly pathogenic avian influenza with the capacity to infect humans is a concern because it may lead to circumstances where a new subtype of influenza can develop that both causes serious disease and can spread from person to person. The text below outlines the current situation in those areas affected (please note that this information is subject to change).
Avian influenza news this month
See the avian flu news page for latest news updates.
Avian Influenza (H5N1) in humans
Background
- Very infrequently, avian influenza viruses are transmissible to humans.
- In the current outbreak of avian influenza 583 human cases have been reported from Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam, and 344 of these infections have resulted in death.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) provides regular updates on confirmed case numbers. Given the scale of the outbreaks in poultry the virus does not currently appear to infect humans easily and there have been no reports of sustained human to human transmission.
- more information about the way in which avian influenza infects humans
Summary of Human Influenza A (H5N1) infections reported by the World Health Organization
Date of onset 2012
Figure 10: Outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) infections with 2012 year of onset
Total number of cases =5 (4 deaths)
Updates and case details can be found on the WHO: Avian Influenza homepage.
Date of onset 2011
Figure 9: Outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) infections with 2011 year of onset
Total number of cases = 62 (34 deaths)
Updates and case details can be found on the WHO: Avian Influenza homepage.
Date of onset 2010
Figure 8: Outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) infections with 2010 year of onset
Total number of cases = 48 (24 deaths)
Updates and case details can be found on the WHO: Avian Influenza homepage.
Date of onset 2009
Figure 7: Outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) infections with 2009 year of onset
Total number of cases = 73 (32 deaths)
Updates and case details can be found on the WHO: Avian Influenza homepage.
Date of onset 2008
Figure 6: Outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) infections with 2008 year of onset
Total number of cases = 44 (33 deaths)
Updates and case details can be found on the WHO: Avian Influenza homepage.
Date of onset 2007
Figure 5: Outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) infections with 2007 year of onset
Total number of cases = 88 (59 deaths)
Updates and case details can be found on the WHO: Avian Influenza homepage.
Date of onset 2006
Figure 4: Outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) infections with 2006 year of onset
Total number of cases = 115 (79 deaths)
Updates and case details can be found on the WHO: Avian Influenza homepage.
Date of onset 2005
Figure 3: Outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) infections with 2005 year of onset
Total number of cases = 98 (43 deaths)
Updates and case details can be found on the WHO: Avian Influenza homepage.
Date of onset 2004
Figure 2: Outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) infections with 2004 year of onset
Total number of cases = 46 (32 deaths)
Updates and case details can be found on the WHO: Avian Influenza homepage.
Date of onset 2003
Figure 1: Outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) infections with 2003 year of onset
Total number of cases = 4 (4 deaths)
Updates and case details can be found on the WHO: Avian Influenza homepage.
Avian influenza (H5N1) in animals
Background
- Avian influenza naturally circulates in wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese often causing little or no symptoms. Many other bird species are susceptible to infection with these influenza viruses and in many of these species it may cause severe disease associated with high mortality.
- Outbreaks associated with high bird mortality are called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) to distinguish them from less pathogenic influenza.
- Avian influenza viruses like other influenza viruses are described according to properties of two surface proteins: haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N).
- Since December 2003 there have been substantial outbreaks of avian influenza associated with high mortality affecting poultry in various countries in Asia, Europe and Africa. These outbreaks are caused by H5N1 subtype of the influenza A virus, the same subtype (but not identical to the virus) that caused an outbreak of HPAI in Hong Kong in 1997.
- more information about avian influenza in poultry.
Travellers visiting/returning from areas affected by influenza A (H5N1).
Summary of avian influenza A (H5N1) poultry and wild bird outbreaks
Information on countries that have been affected by the spread of influenza A (H5N1) in poultry and wild birds is available from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) website.
For updates on avian influenza zones or emergence visit the OIE: Update on Avian Influenza in animals (type H5).
International Pandemic Alert Level
Last reviewed: 26 January 2012
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