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. 2015 Jan;17(1):456.
doi: 10.1007/s11908-014-0456-3.

Avian influenza: recent epidemiology, travel-related risk, and management

Rajeka Lazarus  1 , Poh Lian Lim
Affiliations

Avian influenza: recent epidemiology, travel-related risk, and management

Rajeka Lazarus et al. Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2015 Jan.

Abstract

H5N1 influenza continues to smolder in Southeast Asia over the past 5 years, but the emergence of H7N9 in China in 2012 raised concerns for a new avian influenza threat. In contrast with H5N1 with over 650 confirmed cases over 11 years, H7N9 has infected over 450 persons within 2 years. The case fatality rate for H7N9 (35 %) is lower than for H5N1 (60 %) or H10N8 (67 %) but is comparable to that for the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS CoV), another emerging zoonosis with travel-associated importations. Exposure to poultry and fomites are considered the likely sources of infection for H7N9, H5N1, and H10N8, with limited human-to-human transmission in close contacts. Most cases have occurred in local populations of affected countries, and travel-related risk can be mitigated by avoiding exposure. Vaccines, antivirals, and other therapeutics remain in development stage or of modest benefit for dangerous infections carrying high morbidity and mortality.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
H5N1 and H7N9 human cases, 2003–2014
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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