WHO Update: Influenza at the human-animal interface (H5N1)

 

# 8809

 

Although the recently emerged, and more active, H7N9 virus has captured most of our avian flu attention over the past 16 months, the H5N1 virus continues to circulate – and evolve – in wild birds and poultry in many parts of Asia and the Middle East. 

 

The World Health Organization - which provides monthly summaries of human cases – has recently published the following update which includes two human infections reported in June. 

 

 

Influenza at the human-animal interface

Summary and assessment as of 27 June 2014

Human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses

From  2003  through  27  June  2014,  667  laboratory-confirmed  human  cases  of  avian  influenza  A(H5N1) virus infection have been officially reported to WHO from 15 countries. Of these cases, 393 have died. Since the last WHO Influenza at the Human-Animal Interface update on 5 May 2014, two laboratory confirmed human cases of influenza A(H5N1) virus infection were reported to WHO; one from Indonesia in a 33-year-old man from DKI Jakarta and the other from Egypt in a 34-year-old man from Menia governorate. This is not unexpected as influenza A(H5N1) viruses are known to be circulating in poultry in these areas in both countries.

Overall public health risk assessment for avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses: Whenever influenza viruses are circulating in poultry, sporadic infections or small clusters of human cases are possible, especially in people exposed to infected poultry or contaminated environments. These influenza A(H5N1) viruses do not currently appear to transmit easily among people. As such, the risk of community-level spread of these viruses remains low.

Human infection with other non-seasonal influenza viruses

Human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9) viruses in China

WHO is closely monitoring this event and separate risk assessments have been posted. Please find the
most updated information at

http://www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/influenza_h7n9/Risk_Assessment/en/index.html

Outbreaks in animals with avian influenza viruses with potential public health impact

The number of reported  outbreaks  of avian influenza  in birds globally  is currently  at the level  expected during this period of the year.

Further, owing in part to the emergence of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, there is enhanced surveillance for non-seasonal influenza viruses in both humans and animals. It is therefore to be expected that more influenza A(H5N1), A(H7N9), and other subtypes of influenza viruses will be detected in humans and animals over the coming months.

Due to the constantly evolving nature of influenza viruses, WHO continues to stress the importance of global surveillance to detect virological, epidemiological and clinical changes associated with circulating influenza viruses that may affect human (or animal) health. All human infections with non-seasonal influenza viruses are reportable to WHO under the IHR (2005). It is critical that influenza viruses from animals and people are fully characterized in appropriate animal or human health influenza reference laboratories.