Related topics: virus , swine flu , h5n1 , flu , pandemic
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1
hideInfluenza A virus subtype H5N1, also known as "bird flu," A(H5N1) or simply H5N1, is a subtype of the Influenza A virus which can cause illness in humans and many other animal species. A bird-adapted strain of H5N1, called HPAI A(H5N1) for "highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of type A of subtype H5N1", is the causative agent of H5N1 flu, commonly known as "avian influenza" or "bird flu". It is enzootic in many bird populations, especially in Southeast Asia. One strain of HPAI A(H5N1) is spreading globally after first appearing in Asia. It is epizootic (an epidemic in nonhumans) and panzootic (affecting animals of many species, especially over a wide area), killing tens of millions of birds and spurring the culling of hundreds of millions of others to stem its spread. Most references to "bird flu" and H5N1 in the popular media refer to this strain.
According to the FAO Avian Influenza Disease Emergency Situation Update, H5N1 pathogenicity is continuing to gradually rise in endemic areas but the avian influenza disease situation in farmed birds is being held in check by vaccination. Eleven outbreaks of H5N1 were reported worldwide in June 2008 in five countries (China, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and Vietnam) compared to 65 outbreaks in June 2006 and 55 in June 2007. The "global HPAI situation can be said to have improved markedly in the first half of 2008 [but] cases of HPAI are still underestimated and underreported in many countries because of limitations in country disease surveillance systems".
For more information about Influenza A virus subtype H5N1, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
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News tagged with bird flu
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Apr 27, 2009 |
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Nov 19, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Bird flu viruses would have to make at least two simultaneous genetic mutations before they could be transmitted readily from human to human, according to research published today in PLoS ON ...
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May 27, 2009 |
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A new way of the treating the flu: Approach targets both the H and N portions of the virus
May 19, 2009 |
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Computer simulation captures immune response to flu
May 18, 2009 |
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Researchers have successfully tested first the first time a computer simulation of major portions of the body's immune reaction to influenza type A, with implications for treatment design and preparation ahead of future pandemics, ...
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May 04, 2009 |
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Pandemic closer but not inevitable: Lancet
Apr 28, 2009 |
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A pandemic of swine flu has edged nearer but the threat can be avoided if governments and individuals join in limiting the contagion, The Lancet said in an editorial on Tuesday.
Health authorities rush to tackle killer flu in US, Mexico
Apr 24, 2009 |
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Bird flu found in Tibet: state media
Apr 19, 2009 |
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Chinese officials had confirmed the outbreak of a deadly strain of bird flu among poultry in the Tibetan capital Lhasa, state media reported Sunday, quoting the ministry of agriculture.
Vietnamese boy, 3, dies from bird flu: doctor
Mar 19, 2009 |
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A three-year-old Vietnamese boy died Thursday from bird flu, a doctor in the southern city of Ho Chi Minh said.
