Avian influenza A (H5N1) - epidemiology avian influenza A (H5N1)-epidemiology

Abstract

Three pandemics of influenza have occurred during the past century. There are three prerequisites for the start of a pandemic. The first is the emergence of a new virus to which the general population will have no or little immunity. Second, the new virus must be able to replicate in humans and cause disease. Third, the new virus must be easily transmissible from one human to another. For the past three years, the Influenza H5N1 virus has been thought the most likely candidate to ignite the next pandemic. The increasing spread and evolution of H5N1 viruses in Asia are markers that there is potential risk of another pandemic. In this paper we review the influenza A virus characteristics, transmission to human, current poultry cases (Asia and Europe), prevention of the transmission to human in rural and urban countries and regions, quarantine of poultry workers and travel restriction, development of vaccines and vaccination policy, antiviral treatment.