What is special about the current outbreaks in poultry?
The current outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which began in South-East Asia in mid-2003, are the largest and most severe on record. Never before in the history of this disease have so many countries been simultaneously affected, resulting in the loss of so many birds. The causative agent, the H5N1 virus, has proved to be especially tenacious. Despite the death or destruction of an estimated 150 million birds, the virus is now considered endemic in many parts of Indonesia and Viet Nam and in some parts of Cambodia, China, Thailand, and possibly also the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Control of the disease in poultry is expected to take several years. The H5N1 virus is also of particular concern for human health, as explained below.
The current outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which began in South-East Asia in 2003, are the largest and most severe on record. Never before have so many countries been affected at the same time, resulting in the loss of so many birds. The H5N1 virus has proved to be especially menacing. Despite the death or destruction of an estimated 150 million birds, the virus is considered endemic in many parts of Indonesia and Viet Nam and in some parts of Cambodia, China, Thailand, and possibly also the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Control of the disease in domestic poultry is expected to take many years. The H5N1 virus is also of particular concern for human health, as explained below.
The current outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which began in South-East Asia in mid-2003, are the largest and most severe on record. Never before in the history of this disease have so many countries been simultaneously affected, resulting in the loss of so many birds. The causative agent, the H5N1 virus, has proved to be especially tenacious. Despite the death or destruction of an estimated 150 million birds, the virus is now considered endemic in many parts of Indonesia and Viet Nam and in some parts of Cambodia, China, Thailand, and possibly also the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Control of the disease in poultry is expected to take several years. The H5N1 virus is also of particular concern for human health, as explained below.
The current outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which began in Southeast Asia in mid-2003, are the largest and most severe on record. Never before in the history of this disease have so many countries been simultaneously affected, resulting in the loss of so many birds. The causative agent, the H5N1 virus, has proved to be especially tenacious. Despite the death or destruction of an estimated 150 million birds, the virus is now considered endemic in many parts of Indonesia and Vietnam and in some parts of Cambodia, China, Thailand, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Control of the disease in poultry is expected to take several years. The H5N1 virus is also of particular concern for human health, as explained below.
Current avian influenza outbreaks are highly pathogenic. They were first reported in Southeast Asia in mid-2003. They were the most severe outbreaks ever to be reported that had affected the largest number of poultry. Never before in the history of this disease have so many countries been simultaneously affected, resulting in the loss of so many birds. The causative agent, the H5N1 virus, has proved to be especially tenacious. In spite of the deaths of million birds, the virus is considered to be endemic in different areas of the world . It is believed that several years will be needed to control thoroughly the bird flu.
