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Click here: National Avian Influenza Surveillance Information
reported by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Early Detection Data System

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"How a SUPER flu is born"

Click here for: The Facts of Bird Flu

Q & A: Bird Flu

H5N1 Avian Flu Facts:

The outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza began in Asia in 2003. Following are some facts about the H5N1 avian flu virus and its spread around the globe.

Since the virus re-emerged in Asia in 2003, outbreaks have been confirmed in around 60 countries and territories, according to data from the World Organization for Animal Health.

From December 2003 to January 2008, there have been 353 confirmed cases of H5N1 in humans. Of those, 221 people died, for a 62% case fatality rate.

The H5N1 virus made the first known jump into humans in Hong Kong in 1997, infecting 18 people and killing six of them. The government ordered the immediate culling of the territory's entire poultry flock, ending the outbreak.
(Sources: REUTERS AlertNet, OIE, WHO, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention)

BBC NEWS | Health | Q&A: Bird flu
What is bird flu?
Like humans and other species, birds are susceptible to flu. There are many types of bird, or avian, flu. The most contagious strains, which are usually fatal in birds, are H5 and H7. The type currently causing concern is the "highly pathogenic" Asian strain of the H5N1 virus.

How do humans catch bird flu?
Although the H5N1 strain of bird flu does not cross species easily, it can pass to humans.
About half of those who have been infected by H5N1--usually only after very close contact with birds--have died. Symptoms are similar to other types of flu - fever, malaise, sore throat, cough, respiratory illness and organ failure.

Is there a vaccine?
There currently no effective vaccine to protect humans against H5N1. If a pandemic virus emerges, it would take at least three months to start work on a vaccine.

Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/3422839.stm Published: 2008/01/10