What's New?
Avian influenza - situation in Indonesia - update 13
14 August 2007
The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 29-year-old female from Bali Province developed symptoms on 3 August and was hospitalized on 7 August. She died on 12 August. Investigations into the source of her infection indicate exposure to sick and dead poultry.
The case's five-year-old daughter was sick with a respiratory illness in the days preceding the onset of illness in the confirmed case. The daughter's onset of symptoms was 26 July, she was hospitalized on 30 July but died without suspicion of avian influenza infection on 3 August in the district hospital. The child had contact with sick and dead poultry before becoming ill.
All of the household and healthcare worker contacts of the confirmed case have been traced. All remain healthy and will continue to be monitored for ten days after their last contact with the case.
Of the 103 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 82 have been fatal.
Travelers should contact their local health providers or national health authorities for supplementary information.
Cumulative Number of confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO
14 August 2007
| Country | 2003 cases |
2003 deaths |
2004 cases |
2004 deaths |
2005 cases |
2005 deaths |
2006 cases |
2006 deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azerbaijan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 5 |
| Cambodia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| China | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 8 |
| Djibouti | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Egypt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 10 |
| Indonesia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 13 | 55 | 45 |
| Iraq | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Lao People's Democratic Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nigeria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Thailand | 0 | 0 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Tturkey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 |
| Viet Nam | 3 | 3 | 29 | 20 | 61 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 4 | 46 | 32 | 98 | 43 | 115 | 79 |
Total number of cases includes number of deaths.
WHO reports only laboratory-confirmed cases.
All dates refer to onset of illness.
Advice to travelers
WHO advises travelers to avoid contact with high-risk environments in affected countries
Travellers to areas affected by avian influenza in birds are not considered to be at elevated risk of infection unless direct and un-protected exposure to infected birds (including feathers, feces and under-cooked meat and egg products) occurs.
WHO continues to recommend that travelers to affected areas should avoid contact with live animal markets and poultry farms, and any free-ranging or caged poultry. Large amounts of the virus are known to be excreted in the droppings from infected birds. Populations in affected countries are advised to avoid contact with dead migratory birds or wild birds showing signs of disease.
Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their droppings, is considered the main route of human infection. Exposure risk is considered highest during slaughter, de-feathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry for cooking. There is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or poultry products can be a source of infection.
Travelers should contact their local health providers or national health authorities for supplementary information.
Washington Post Article - March 3, 2007
"Vaccine May Treat Many Bird Flu Strains" To read this article, please follow this link.
World Health Organization Level 3 News Alert
Health experts across the globe have been monitoring a new and extremely severe influenza virus - the H5N1 strain - for almost eight years. The H5N1 strain first infected humans in Hong Kong in 1997, causing 18 cases. Since mid-2003, this virus has caused the largest and most severe outbreaks in poultry on record. In December 2003, infections in people exposed to sick birds were identified. The countries that have reported infected humans include: Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. WHO has 258 cases on record, with 154 of those cases resulting in death.
The spread of this new virus has led medical professionals to conclude that there's an increasing probability of a pandemic in the near future. It is critical to pay close attention to your health this season and remain informed of the status of H5N1 influenza.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is coordinating the global response to H5N1 human cases and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. Six distinct phases have been defined to facilitate pandemic preparedness planning. The present situation is categorized as phase 3: a virus new to humans is causing infections, but does not spread easily from one person to another.
ASU is closely tracking WHO's actions and will keep the university community notified if the World Health Organization declares a phase change. In the meantime, please review this Web site to learn more about the H5N1 virus and advice on personal preparedness plans.