What are the concerns about avian influenza A (H5N1) outbreaks in Asia, Europe, the Near East, and Africa?
There is concern that the H5N1 virus could undergo genetic changes that would result in its ability to be easily transmitted between humans. Since the general population has not been exposed to this H5N1 influenza virus strain before, a mutation leading to sustained human-to-human transmission could cause an influenza pandemic.* Although it is not predictable when the next influenza pandemic will occur and what influenza virus strain may cause it, the continued and expanded spread of a highly pathogenic avian H5N1 virus that first began spreading throughout Asia in 2003 represents an important public health threat.* Human influenza A (H5N1) infections were first recognized in 1997 when this virus infected 18 people in Hong Kong, causing 6 deaths. In 2003, a highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 virus (commonly called H5N1 or HPAI H5N1), started spreading in poultry throughout Asia. This H5N1 virus strain has now caused widespread disease in domestic poultry in Asia, parts of Europe,
Related Questions
- What is the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus that has been reported in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Near East?
- What are the concerns about avian influenza A (H5N1) outbreaks in Asia, Europe, the Near East, and Africa?
- What is the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus that has been reported in Asia and Europe?
