20 March 2007
Egypt, Laos Report More Human Cases of Avian Influenza
World Health Organization, experts meet to discuss avian flu treatments
Washington – As the number of human cases of avian influenza confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) rises to 281, with new cases reported in Egypt and Laos, WHO and international experts are meeting in Turkey to discuss how best to treat people who become infected with the highly pathogenic H5N1 form of the bird flu virus.
Since 2003, some 300 million birds have died directly from infection or have been destroyed to keep the virus from spreading, and 169 people have died, most from close contact with sick birds.
The March 19-21 meeting in Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey, is the second meeting of 100 experts and experienced medical practitioners from hospitals that have treated H5N1 patients. The first meeting was in May 2005 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
“We know more now than we did two years ago,” a WHO spokesman told USINFO March 20. “A lot of work has gone on between 2005 and now, and there have been twice as many cases. All that combined will mean we have a lot more data to draw from.”
The meeting’s objectives are to summarize H5N1 symptoms and laboratory and pathological findings, encapsulate current knowledge about managing H5N1 infections and identify gaps in H5N1 knowledge and treatment that need research.
During the meeting, participants will summarize the current understanding of features of H5N1 infection like its incubation period, clinical course and duration of viral shedding, and of the pathology and clinical manifestations of H5N1 virus infection in people. Participants also hope to improve understanding of responses to current treatments, including anti-viral drugs.
Following the meeting, a paper describing the results and updating the WHO recommendations for treating H5N1 patients will be published in a medical journal.
INFECTIONS IN EGYPT
On March 19 and March 20, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population announced new human cases of H5N1 avian influenza infection, both in Aswan Governorate in southern Egypt. The cases were confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 in Cairo.
A 2-year-old boy developed symptoms March 15 and was admitted to the hospital the next day. He was in stable condition on March 20. Investigations indicated a history of contact with backyard poultry.
On March 13, a 10-year-old girl was admitted to the hospital with symptoms. She was in stable condition on March 19. Investigations indicate that she had recently been exposed to sick poultry. The girl’s contacts are under observation.
According to WHO, no epidemiological link has been found between the two cases.
On March 12, the Ministry of Health and Population announced another human avian flu case, a 4-year-old boy from Ad Daqahliyah Governorate. He developed symptoms March 7, was admitted to the hospital the next day, and his condition was stable March 12.
He was exposed to sick birds during the first three days of March. The boy’s contacts are healthy and are being monitored closely.
Of the 26 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.
DEATHS IN LAOS
On March 16, the Ministry of Health in Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, reported its second human death from infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The country’s first death, announced by the Ministry of Health March 8, was a 15-year-old girl from Vientiane province, the capital of Laos, in the Mekong Valley. Her infection was announced February 27 and she died March 7 after being hospitalized in neighboring Thailand.
The most recent death was a 42-year-old woman from Saka village in the Pong Hong district, also in Vientiane province. She developed a fever February 26, was hospitalized in Vientiane Provincial Hospital February 28, and then transferred to Setthathirat Hospital March 1. She died March 4.
Tests performed during an investigation to determine the source of exposure found a duck positive for bird flu in the woman's household. Close family and hospital contacts are being monitored for possible infection.
Initial testing was conducted by the National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology in Laos. In line with WHO policy, samples were sent to a WHO collaborating laboratory in Tokyo for diagnostic verification and further analysis. The collaborating center confirmed H5N1 infection.
According to a March 16 statement, WHO continues to work closely with the Laos government to strengthen case reporting, improve diagnostic capacity and increase local awareness of the disease.
For more information on U.S. and international efforts to combat avian influenza, see Bird Flu (Avian Influenza).
(USINFO is produced by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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