Oct 3, 2023 · Exposure to avian influenza viruses can lead to infection and disease in humans, ranging from mild, flu-like symptoms or eye inflammation to severe, acute respiratory disease and/or death. Disease severity will depend upon the virus causing the infection and the characteristics of the infected individual.

May 16, 2024 · H5N1 is one of several influenza viruses that causes a highly infectious respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or "bird flu"). Infections in mammals, including humans, have also been documented. H5N1 influenza virus infection can cause a range of diseases in humans, from mild to severe and in some cases, it can even be fatal.

Oct 16, 2024 · Avian, swine and other zoonotic influenza infections in humans may cause disease ranging from mild upper respiratory infection (fever and cough) to rapid progression to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock and even death.

Before the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, the influenza A(H1N1) virus had never been identified as a cause of infections in people. Genetic analyses of this virus have shown that it originated from animal influenza viruses and is unrelated to the human seasonal H1N1 viruses that have been in general circulation among people since 1977.

Apr 9, 2024 · The World Health Organization (WHO) was notified about a laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with an influenza A(H5N1) virus on 1 April 2024 by the United States of America IHR National Focal Point (NFP). The patient developed symptoms on 27 March and had a history of exposure to dairy cattle (cows) presumed to be infected with influenza A (H5N1) …

Avian influenza, sometimes known as bird flu, is a disease caused by a virus that mainly affects birds but can also affect mammals, including humans. It primarily spreads from infected birds to humans through close contact with birds or contaminated environments, such as in backyard poultry farm settings and at markets where birds are sold.

Jul 16, 2024 · Is avian influenza cause for concern? Aisling Vaughan, an epidemiologist at WHO/Europe working specifically on zoonotic influenza, explains what avian influenza means for the Region now and whether it may pose a risk in the future.

Zoonotic influenza refers to disease caused by animal influenza viruses that cross the animal–human divide to infect people. People can be infected with influenza viruses that are usually circulating in animals, such as avian influenza virus subtypes A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) and swine influenza virus subtypes A(H1N1) and (H3N2).

Jul 22, 2024 · Avian influenza, or bird flu, is not a new disease, despite recently occupying the spotlight after an outbreak among dairy cattle in the United States of America. In fact, the virus causing the current outbreaks – H5N1 – first emerged in 1996/1997 in Hong Kong and later re-emerged in 2003/2004. Avian influenza has continuously evolved since then, and is commonly …

Feb 21, 2025 · Human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus: From 1 January 2003 to 21 December 2023, a total of 248 cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus were reported from four countries within the Western Pacific Region (Table 1).