Avian Influenza
Avian influenza (H5N1) is a particularly lethal strain of the influenza virus that affects domestic poultry, primarily chickens and ducks, in Asia. Wild birds can transmit the virus but generally do not become ill. Humans who have close contact with live chickens and other poultry infected with avian influenza can contract the disease, although that is not common.
Presently the case fatality rate for the very small number of confirmed cases of avian influenza in humans is approximately 72 percent. Sustained human-to-human transmission of avian influenza never has occurred, but, were this to happen, international health organizations have expressed concerns about the possibility of a major human epidemic that rapidly could spread to other regions of the world.
Please click here for the recently updated Fact Sheet: 2009-H1N1, Pandemic Influenza, and H5N1.
You can also click here to read the State Department's information on Options During Pandemic.
Much like the common human influenza A, frequent hand washing, respiratory etiquette, and the use of personal protective equipment (face masks, gloves, gowns, etc.) should provide reasonably effective protection against avian influenza. A particular type of face mask (termed the N-95 respirator) is required. A specific vaccine for humans effective against avian influenza has not been developed. Persons should be instructed to avoid any contact with live poultry, uncooked eggs and uncooked bird products. Well-cooked poultry probably is safe. Swimming in water containing dead birds is dangerous.
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has suggested that the anti-viral medication oseltamavir (brand name - Tamiflu) may be effective against avian influenza. Tamiflu has not yet been adequately tested for this purpose, so this recommendation is based on limited data. Tamiflu, taken as one capsule (75mg) daily for 6-8 weeks, may be 80-90 percent effective in preventing avian influenza.
Preventive use of Tamiflu for persons under age 13 years has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Post infection treatment with Tamiflu, taken as one capsule twice daily for 5 days, may decrease the severity of the disease. Tamiflu is approved for treatment of children over age one year. The dosage for children is based on the child's weight. In the actual event of an avian influenza epidemic, existing supplies of Tamiflu and N-95 masks rapidly may be exhausted. Medical evacuation of ill patients (and possibly evacuation of persons from affected nations) may become problematic as it was with the SARS epidemic.
Strict infection control procedures, such as those employed during the SARS epidemic, would likely be instituted by local governments. These could include actions such as closing schools, minimizing community gatherings, excluding febrile employees from the workplace and wearing N-95 face masks. The effectiveness of infection control procedures is underscored by the fact that since January 2004 no cases of avian influenza (H5N1) have been reported in health care workers or in professionals undertaking chicken culling activities.
Additional detailed information regarding avian influenza is available on the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/flu/avian.