Background and origin of epidemic
Ma Eugenia Manjarrez Zavala
ABSTRACT
During the past century, three major influenza pandemics took place leading to a devastating number of deaths. Recent spread of avian influenza A H5N1 virus to poultry and wild birds has increased the threat of human infection with H5N1 virus worldwide. The virus was first detected in China in 1996, when it killed some geese. They rapidly spread to Europe and Africa, and caused the death of thousandth of the birds and more than 100 people. The outbreak of this highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus has caused global concern over the possible evolution of a novel human strain. Health policy in most countries will then be focused on reducing morbidity and mortality, and WHO urges all countries to take actions now to assess their level of preparedness, identify priority needs and develop a national influenza preparedness plan. The success of these actions will depend on the preparations made in advance by each member of the International community.KEYWORDS
Influenza, H5N1, pandemic, respiratory viruses.REFERENCES
Maines TR, Chen LM, Matsuoka Y, Chen H, Rowe T, Ortin J, Falcon A, Nguten TH, Mai le O, Sedyaningshi ER, Harun S, Tumpey TM, Donis RO, Cox NJ, Subbarao K, Katz JM, Lack of transmission of H5N1 avian-human reassortant influenza viruses in a ferret model. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2006; 103(32): 12121-6.
Tanimura N, Tsukamoto K, Okamatsu M, Mase M, Imada T, Nakamura K, Kubo M, Yamaguchi S, Irishio W, Hayashi M, Nakai T, Yamauchi A, Nishimura M, Imai K. Pathology of fatal highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus infection in large-billed crows (Corvus macrorhynchos) during the 2004 outbreak in Japan. Vet Pathol 2006; 43(4): 500-9.
de Jong MD, Simmons CP, Thanh TT, Hien VM, Smith GJ, Chau TN, Hoang DM, Chau NV, Khanh TH, Dong VC, Qui PT, Cam BV, Ha do Q, Guan Y, Peiris JS, Chinh NT, Hien TT, Farrar J. Fatal outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) is associated with high viral load and hypercytokinemia. Nat Med 2006; 12(10): 1203-7.
Kandun IN, Wibisono H, Sedyaningsih ER, Yusharmen, Hadisoedarsuno W, Purba W, Santoso H, Septiawati C, Tresnaningsih E, Heriyanto B, Yuwono D, Harun S, Soeroso S, Giriputra S, Blair PJ, Jeremijenko A, Kosasih H, Putnam SD, Samaan G, Silitonga M, Chan KH, Poon LL, Lim W, Klimov A, Lindstrom S, Guan Y, Donis R, Katz J, Cox N, Peiris M, Uyeki TM. Three Indonesian clusters of H5N1 virus infection in 2005. N Engl J Med 2006; 355(21): 2186-94.
Schunemann HJ, Hill SR, Kakad M, Bellamy R, Uyeki TM, Hayden FG, Yazdanpanah Y, Beigel J, Chotpitayasunondh T, Del Mar C, Farrar J, Tran TH, Ozbay B, Sugaya N, Fukuda K, Shindo N, Stockman L, Vist GE, Croisier A, Nagjdaliyev A, Roth C, Thomson G, Zucker H, Oxman AD. WHO Rapid Advice Guidelines for pharmacological management of sporadic human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. Lancet Infect Dis. 2007; 7(1): 21-31.