|
2/3/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today specimens from Iraq’s first reported case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus have now been tested at a WHO collaborating laboratory in the United Kingdom. The case was a 15-year-old girl from the northern part of the country who died of severe respiratory disease on January 17, 2006. Test results have now confirmed her infection. Specimens from the girl’s 39-year-old uncle, who died on January 27, and a 54-year-old woman under treatment for respiratory illness are being sent to the UK laboratory but have not yet arrived.
A joint WHO/FAO/OIE team of international experts has been dispatched to Iraq at the request of the Ministry of Health. The initial small team of epidemiologists and experts on animal disease will conduct a rapid assessment of the situation in the Sulaimaniyah area of northern Iraq. Because of the security situation, the team is not expected to arrive in the area until early next week.
At present, an additional two people, showing symptoms suggestive of H5N1 infection, have been hospitalized for treatment in the Sulaimaniyah area. Health officials, with support from WHO staff, have set up an emergency operations room to respond to the outbreak, investigate rumors, and address public concerns. Rumors of possible human cases in other parts of the country have been systematically followed up. To date, no such rumors have been substantiated.
The detection of the country’s first human case occurred despite the absence of confirmed outbreaks of the disease in poultry. Detection of the case indicates a high level of awareness of the clinical features of this disease and good vigilance on the part of clinicians. It also points to an urgent need to investigate the extent of bird outbreaks in northern Iraq and possibly elsewhere. Team members with veterinary expertise will assess animal health issues and support the government in its efforts to control the spread of the disease in poultry.
Experiences with poultry outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in other countries have shown how quickly this virus can establish itself in poultry populations and spread widely when detection and control measures are delayed. Poultry culling is under way in northern Iraq and large numbers of birds have already been destroyed.
WHO-led teams are currently conducting or completing field assessments in nine countries in the area: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia, Iran, Lebanon, Moldova, Syria, and Ukraine.
1/31/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today the Ministry of Health in Iraq has confirmed the country’s first case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case occurred in a 15-year-old girl who died on January 17 following a severe respiratory illness. Her symptoms were compatible with a diagnosis of H5N1 avian influenza. Preliminary laboratory confirmation was provided by a US Naval Medical Research Unit located in Cairo, Egypt.
The girl’s 39-year-old uncle, who cared for her during her illness, developed symptoms on January 24 and died of a severe respiratory disease on January 27,
2006.
Both patients resided in the town of Raniya near Sulaimaniyah in the northern part of the country, close to the border with Turkey. Poultry deaths were recently reported in their neighborhood, but H5N1 avian influenza has not yet been confirmed in birds in any part of the country. Poultry samples have been sent for testing at an external laboratory.
A history of exposure to diseased birds has been found for the girl. The uncle’s source of infection is under investigation.
The Ministry of Health has further informed WHO of a third human case of respiratory illness that is under investigation for possible H5N1 infection. The patient is a 54-year-old woman, from the same area, who was hospitalized on January 18.
Specimens are on their way to a WHO collaborating laboratory in the United Kingdom for diagnostic confirmation and further analysis.
An international team, including representatives of other UN agencies, is being assembled to assist the Ministry of Health in its investigation of the situation and its planning of an appropriate public health response. WHO staff within Iraq have been directly supporting the government’s operational response, which was launched shortly after the girl’s death.
Iraq is the seventh country to report human H5N1 infection in the current outbreak. The first human case occurred in Vietnam in December 2003.
China
5/30/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of
Health in
China
has reported a new case of human infection with the H5N1 avian
influenza virus. The case was confirmed by the national
laboratory on May 23, 2007.
The 19-year
old male soldier, serving in
Fujian
province, developed fever and pneumonia-like symptoms on May 9
and was hospitalized on May 14.
There is no
initial indication to suggest he had contact with sick birds
prior to becoming unwell. Close contacts have been placed under
medical observation and all remain well.
Of the 25
cases confirmed to date in
China
, 15 have been fatal.
3/29/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has reported a new fatal case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case has been confirmed by the national laboratory.
The 16-year-male from Anhui province developed fever and pneumonia-like symptoms on March and 17, was hospitalized on March 20 and died on March 27.
There is no initial indication to suggest he had contact with sick birds prior to becoming unwell and investigations to identify the source of his exposure are ongoing. Close contacts have been placed under medical observation and all remain well.
Of the 24 cases confirmed to date in China, 15 have been fatal.
3/1/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has reported one case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The case is a 44-year-old woman from Jian'ou county, Fujian province. She became ill with fever and pneumonia on February 18 and was hospitalized on February 22 where she remains in critical condition. The case was laboratory confirmed by the Fujian provincial laboratory on February 26 and by the national laboratory the next day.
Information provided to WHO indicates that she is a farmer who kept birds in her back yard and was possibly exposed to sick birds. An investigation is under way to determine if this exposure was the source of her infection. Close contacts have been placed under medical observation.
Of the 23 cases confirmed to date in China, 14 have been fatal.
1/10/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has confirmed a case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case is a 37 year old man from Tunxi in Anhui Province. He became symptomatic on December 10, 2006 and was hospitalized on December 17, 2006. The patient was discharged on January 6, 2007 and is recovering well.
Information provided to WHO indicates that he was a farmer and may have kept a number of birds in his back yard. No information on possible exposure to diseased birds as the source of his infection is presently available, but an investigation is under way. Close contacts were placed under medical observation but are all well and were released on December 29.
Of the 22 cases confirmed to date in China, 14 have been fatal.
8/14/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today the Ministry of Health in China has confirmed the country’s 21st case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The case occurred in a 62-year-old male farmer from the north-western province of Xinjiang. He developed symptoms on June 19 and died on July 12. Initial tests on patient specimens produced negative results. As a precautionary measure, tests were repeated during July and August and eventually produced positive results, which were confirmed today by the Ministry of Health.
An epidemiological investigation of the case was unable to uncover a history of exposure to dead or diseased birds. The man had no history of travel during the month prior to symptom onset. No recent poultry outbreaks have been reported in the vicinity of the man’s home. Xinjiang Province had not previously reported a human case.
Of the 21 cases confirmed to date in China, 14 have been fatal.
8/8/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today the Ministry of Health in China has today retrospectively confirmed a human case of H5N1 infection dating back to November 2003. The case occurred in a 24-year-old member of the military service based in Beijing. The man developed symptoms on November 25, 2003 and was hospitalized with pneumonia in Beijing. His condition deteriorated rapidly and he died of severe respiratory disease on December 3, 2003.
Confirmation of this case marks the earliest known instance of human H5N1 infection in mainland China, and is now the first confirmed case in the present outbreak. Previously, the first confirmed cases were thought to have occurred in Viet Nam in December 2003.
The case was initially reported by several Chinese researchers, affiliated with the military services, in a June 2006 letter to the New England Journal of Medicine. According to that communication, doctors initially suspected the man might have been infected with the SARS virus. Although WHO declared the SARS outbreak over in July 2003, suspicions were high that the virus might return during the cooler months.
Specimens tested for SARS infection prior to the man’s death were negative, but the cause of death remained undetermined. As stated in the published letter, stored specimens from the man subsequently tested positive for H5N1 infection. Successful isolation of the virus from these specimens was also reported.
As the man’s illness was initially thought to be
SARS, no history of possible poultry exposure was taken. The source of his H5N1 infection remains uncertain, particularly as no poultry outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza have been reported in Beijing.
The Ministry of Health informed WHO that it had been unaware of these tests and their results prior to publication of the research letter. In line with WHO recommendations, confirmatory testing in a laboratory affiliated with the Ministry of Health was arranged. Following an official request, WHO sent laboratory experts to consult with national experts performing the tests. That joint undertaking, conducted in late July, confirmed the man’s infection with the H5N1 virus. These findings were further reviewed by a panel of experts, which concluded that the man’s H5N1 infection was now laboratory confirmed.
Prior to this announcement, the first official laboratory-confirmed H5N1 case on the Chinese mainland occurred in Hunan Province in October 2005 and was reported to WHO in mid-November 2005.
Retrospective confirmation of the case brings the cumulative total in China to 20. Of these cases, 13 have been fatal.
6/19/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today the Ministry of Health in China has confirmed the country’s 19th case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The patient is a 31-year-old man employed as a truck driver in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, near the border with Hong Kong. He developed symptoms on June 3 and was hospitalized on June 9. He remains hospitalized, in critical condition, with severe pneumonia.
Investigation of his source of infection is under way. Preliminary reports indicate the man visited a local market where live poultry are sold on several occasions prior to symptom onset. However, health authorities have not been able to determine whether he was exposed to infected poultry at that market or elsewhere. H5N1 infections in poultry have not been officially reported in the area.
Of the 19 laboratory-confirmed cases in China reported to date, 12 have been fatal.
4/28/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today the Ministry of Health in China has reported the country’s 18th case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The patient is an 8-year-old girl from the south-western province of Sichuan. She developed symptoms of fever and pneumonia on April 16 and remains hospitalized.
According to the Ministry of Health, an initial investigation determined that poultry deaths recently occurred near the child’s home.
Of the 18 laboratory-confirmed cases in China, 12 have been fatal.
4/21/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today the Ministry of Health in China has informed WHO of the country’s 12th death from H5N1 avian influenza. The death occurred in a previously reported case, a 21-year-old man from Hubei Province. He died of severe respiratory disease on April 19.
Of the 17 laboratory-confirmed cases in China, 12 have been fatal.
4/20/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today the Ministry of Health in China has confirmed the country’s 17th case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case occurred in a 21-year-old male migrant worker employed in Wuhan City, Hubei Province. He developed symptoms on April 1. He is presently hospitalized in critical condition.
The man’s source of exposure is under investigation. No poultry outbreaks have been reported in Hubei Province since November 2005. His close contacts have been placed under medical observation.
To date, China has reported 17 cases of H5N1 infection. Of these, 11 have been fatal.
3/27/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today the Ministry of Health in China has confirmed the country’s 16th case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case, which was fatal, occurred in a 29-year-old female migrant worker. She was hospitalized in Shanghai on March 15 with symptoms of pneumonia and died on March 21.
This is the first case reported in Shanghai. Her source of infection is under investigation. No poultry outbreaks have been reported in the Shanghai area since February 2004.
According to Chinese authorities, the woman’s close contacts have been placed under medical observation.
3/8/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has reported the country’s 10th death from H5N1 avian influenza. The patient, a 9-year-old girl from the eastern province of
Zhejiang, developed symptoms on February 10 and died on March 6. This case was previously announced by Chinese authorities on February 27, when the patient was listed as in critical condition.
To date, China has reported 15 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. Of these, 10 have been fatal.
3/7/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has reported an additional laboratory confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The case occurred in a 32-year-old man from the southern province of Guangdong. He developed symptoms of fever on February 22 followed by pneumonia. His condition deteriorated rapidly and he died on March 2, 2006.
He was unemployed. No outbreaks in poultry have been reported in Guangdong Province since 2004. To date, China has reported 15 laboratory confirmed cases. Of these, nine have been fatal. Two patients remain in critical condition.
The newly confirmed case is the first reported from Guangdong Province.
2/27/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has reported two additional laboratory confirmed cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. Both patients are in critical condition.
The first patient is a 9-year-old girl from the eastern province of Zhejiang. She developed symptoms on February 10. Symptom onset followed a visit to relatives in the adjacent province of Anhui. No animal outbreaks have been reported in Zhejiang Province since 2004.
The second patient is a 26-year-old female farmer from Anhui Province. She developed symptoms on February 11 following contact with diseased poultry. Local agricultural officials have reported isolation of the H5N1 virus in samples from dead poultry in her neighborhood.
To date, China has reported 14 laboratory-confirmed cases. Of these, eight have been fatal.
The H5N1 virus is now considered to be endemic in birds in large parts of China. The WHO is working with national authorities to increase public awareness of the disease, encourage populations to report outbreaks, and warn people to avoid contact with dead or ill birds.
2/13/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has reported the country’s 12th laboratory confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The case occurred in a 20-year-old female farmer from the south-central province of Hunan. She developed symptoms on January 27 and was subsequently hospitalized with severe pneumonia. The onset of symptoms followed the culling of poultry raised by her household. She died on February 4, 2006.
To date, China has reported 12 laboratory-confirmed cases. Of these, eight have been fatal.
2/9/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has reported the country’s eleventh laboratory confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The case is a 26-year-old female farmer from the south-eastern province of
Fujian. She developed symptoms on January 10 and was subsequently hospitalized with pneumonia. She remains under treatment in stable condition. Like many of the other cases in China, this one occurred in an area where no recent poultry outbreaks have been officially reported.
Of China’s eleven laboratory confirmed cases, seven have been fatal. The cases have occurred in seven provinces and regions:
Anhui, Fujian, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Hunan, Liaoning, and Sichuan.
The continuing occurrence of sporadic human cases indicates that the virus is continuing to circulate in birds in at least some parts of the country. Since May 2005, agricultural authorities have reported 32 poultry outbreaks across the country, the majority of which were reported in October and November of 2005.
Three poultry outbreaks have been reported so far this year: one in Sichuan Province on January 3, one in Guizhou Province on January 10, and one in Shanxi Province on February 8.
1/25/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has confirmed the country’s tenth case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case occurred in a 29-year-old woman from Chengdu City in the south-central province of Sichuan. She developed fever on January 12 and was hospitalized with symptoms of pneumonia. Authorities say her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she died on January 23, 2006.
Information provided to WHO indicates that she was self-employed in a shop selling dry goods. No information on possible exposure to diseased birds as the source of her infection is presently available, but an investigation is under way. Close contacts have been placed under medical observation.
This is the second human case reported this year in China, both from Sichuan Province. The two Sichuan cases occurred in different prefectures located around 150 kilometers apart. A confirmed outbreak of H5N1 in poultry began in late December in another part of the province. No outbreaks have been confirmed in the areas where the two human cases resided.
Of the ten cases confirmed in China, seven have been fatal. The cases have occurred in 7 provinces and regions:
Anhui, Guangxi, Liaoning, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan, and Sichuan. No poultry outbreaks have been officially reported in two of these provinces.
1/19/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has confirmed an additional case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case occurred in a 35-year-old woman, from the south-central province of Sichuan, who had been employed as a poultry culler. She developed symptoms on January 3, was hospitalized on January 10 with symptoms of fever and pneumonia, and died on January 11, 2006.
Further investigation is under way to determine whether the woman may have acquired her infection during culling operations or as a result of direct exposure to infected birds in her village. She lived in a compound where eight families were housed in close quarters. Members of these families and other close contacts have been placed under medical observation. No signs of influenza-like illness have been reported to date.
The newly confirmed case is the ninth in China. Of these cases, 6 have been fatal. The cases have occurred in 7 provinces and regions:
Anhui, Guangxi, Liaoning, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan, and Sichuan.
1/10/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has confirmed the country’s eighth case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The patient is a six-year-old boy from the southern province of Hunan. He developed symptoms of fever and pneumonia on December 24, 2005 and is presently hospitalized in stable condition.
Chinese authorities have also reported that two cases, previously announced, have subsequently died. The deaths occurred in a 10-year-old girl from the Guangxi region, reported on December 7, and a 35-year-old man from Jiangxi Province, reported on December 16, 2005.
Initial investigation of the newly confirmed case has identified recent poultry deaths in the family flock as the likely source of exposure, though no poultry outbreaks have been officially reported in the area. Close contacts have been placed under medical observation and none has shown symptoms of infection to date.
This is the second confirmed case from Hunan Province. The earlier Hunan case, which was one of the first two reported in China in mid-November 2005, lived around 300 kilometers away from the present case.
In addition to Hunan, provinces and regions reporting human cases of H5N1 infection include
Anhui, Guangxi, Liaoning, Jiangxi, and Fujian. Of the eight confirmed cases in China, five have now died.
12/30/05
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has confirmed an additional case of human infection on the mainland with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case is a 41-year-old woman from the south-eastern province of
Fujian. She developed symptoms of fever followed by pneumonia on December 6, and was admitted to hospital two days later. The patient died on December 21, 2005.
On December 13, initial laboratory tests on samples from the patient tested negative for H5N1. But further tests on December 23 – including PCR tests carried out at the Chinese Center for Disease Control in Beijing – showed positive results. The virus was also isolated from the patient. Close contacts who have been placed under medical observation have not displayed any symptoms, health authorities report.
Agricultural authorities so far have not been able to confirm the presence of the H5 virus subtype in poultry in the vicinity of the patient’s residence or place of work. Investigators have not been able to confirm any direct contact between the patient and poultry prior to the onset of illness. The investigation, however, is continuing and answers to these and other questions are still being sought.
This is China’s seventh laboratory-confirmed human case. Of these cases, three have been fatal (including this latest case). To date, China has reported human cases in six provinces and regions: Hunan,
Anhui, Guangxi, Liaoning, Jiangxi and Fujian.To date, China has reported human cases in six provinces and regions: Hunan,
Anhui, Guangxi, Liaoning, Jiangxi and Fujian.
12/16/05
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has confirmed an additional case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case is a 35-year-old man from the south-eastern province of
Jiangxi. He developed symptoms of fever on December 4, 2005 followed by pneumonia. He remains hospitalized and is receiving intensive care.
Agricultural authorities have confirmed the presence of the H5 virus subtype in ducks in the vicinity of the patient’s residence. Family members and close contacts have been placed under medical observation.
To date, China has reported human cases in five provinces and regions: Hunan,
Anhui, Guangxi, Liaoning,and Jiangxi.
12/9/05
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in China has confirmed a further case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case is a 31-year-old female farmer from the north-eastern province of
Liaoning. She developed symptoms on October 30 and subsequently underwent extensive hospital care for severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress. She recovered and was discharged from hospital on November 29, 2005.
Initial tests on this case produced negative results for infection with the H5 virus subtype. Diagnostic confirmation was made following antibody testing using a microneutralization test. Using this test, a positive diagnosis is made when antibody levels in a blood sample taken late in illness are at least four times higher than those found in a sample taken early in illness. Diagnostic confirmation using antibody tests, though reliable, is thus slower than that achieved using direct tests for virus RNA.
Beginning in late October, Chinese authorities have reported several outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in poultry in Liaoning Province. Investigation of this case has linked the woman’s infection to direct exposure to diseased poultry. Agricultural authorities have detected the H5N1 virus in samples taken from poultry in the province.
As a precaution, local authorities placed contacts of the woman under medical observation pending definitive laboratory results. No signs of influenza-like illness were detected, and all contacts have now been released from observation. This is China’s fifth laboratory-confirmed case; the cases have been reported from four provinces:
Anhui, Hunan, Guangxi, and Liaoning.
12/8/05
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of
Health in China has confirmed a further case of human infection
with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case occurred in a
10-year-old girl from the southern province of Guangxi. She
developed symptoms of fever and cough on November 23, 2005,
followed by pneumonia. She remains in the hospital and she is
receiving care.
Local health authorities have
launched several investigations to determine the source of
exposure and to search for further cases in both the child’s
village of residence and the surrounding areas. To date,
monitoring of health status has revealed no additional cases of
influenza-like illness. The Chinese Ministry of Health is
supporting this investigation with an expert team.
11/25/05
The Ministry of Health in China has confirmed a further case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case, which was fatal, occurred in a 35-year-old woman who worked as a farmer in the south-eastern province of
Anhui. She developed symptoms on November 11, was hospitalized on November 15, and died on November 22,
2005.
This is the third laboratory-confirmed case reported in China and the second from Anhui Province. Of these cases, two have been fatal.
The Chinese Ministry of Health has invited WHO to participate in a joint mission to Anhui Province. The mission will review laboratory findings and investigate the exposure histories of the two cases reported there.
11/17/05
The Ministry of Health in China has confirmed the country’s first two human cases of infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The first case is a 9-year-old boy from the southern province of Hunan. He was hospitalized with respiratory symptoms on October 17, 2005 and has since returned home, fully recovered.
The second case is a 24-year old woman who worked as a poultry farmer in the south-eastern province of Anhui. She developed symptoms on November 1, was hospitalized with severe pneumonia on November 7, and died on November 10, 2005. Testing was conducted by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Beijing.
An additional two possible human cases have been investigated in Hunan Province. The first is the boy’s 12-year-old sister. She was hospitalized on October 16 and died the following day of severe bilateral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Samples from the girl are inadequate for testing, and the cause of her death will probably never be known with certainty. Although evidence pointing to H5N1 infection is considered substantial by Chinese experts, WHO reports only laboratory-confirmed cases.
The additional case under investigation in Hunan is a 36-year-old schoolteacher. He was hospitalized with pneumonia on October 24 and definitive test results are pending. A WHO team with expertise in virology and laboratory diagnosis has collaborated with national experts in the investigation of the cases in Hunan.
Surveillance for human cases in China intensified over the past month following a recurrence of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in poultry. Since October 19, China has reported 11 fresh outbreaks of the disease in six provinces, from Liaoning in the northeast of the country to Xinjiang in the far west. Hunan and Anhui – the two provinces with confirmed cases – are among the recently affected provinces.
Egypt
6/25/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has confirmed a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case has been confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the WHO H5 Reference Laboratory, US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The case is a 4 year old male from Qena Governorate. He developed symptoms on 20 June and was admitted to hospital on June 21. He is receiving treatment and is in a stable condition. Initial investigations into the source of his infection indicate exposure to dead poultry.
Of the 37 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 15 have been fatal.
6/12/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has confirmed 2 new human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. Theses cases have been confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the WHO H5 Reference Laboratory, US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The first case is a 10 year old female from Qena Governorate. She developed symptoms on June 1, was admitted to hospital on June 6 and died on June 9, 2007. Initial investigations into the source of her infection indicate exposure to dead birds.
The second case is a 4 year old female from Qena Governorate. She developed symptoms on June 7 and was admitted to hospital on June 10. She is receiving treatment and is in a stable condition. Initial investigations into the source of her infection indicate exposure to dead birds.
Of the 36 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 15 have been fatal.
Egypt -- 4/12/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced the death of the 15 year old female reported on April 10th.
Of the 34 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 14 have been fatal.
4/10/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced two new human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The cases have been confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The first case, a 2-year-old female from Menia Governorate, developed symptoms on April 3 and was admitted to hospital the following day. She is currently in a stable condition. Initial investigations into the source of her infection indicate recent contact with backyard poultry.
The second case is a 15-year-old female from Cairo Governorate. She developed symptoms on March 30 and was admitted to hospital on April 5 where she remains in a critical condition.
Of the 34 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.
4/2/07
The World Health Organization reported the Ministry of Health and Population has announced three new human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The cases have been confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The first case, a 4-year-old boy from Qena Governorate, is the brother of the 6-year-old girl whose infection was reported on March 28. He developed symptoms on March 26 and was admitted to hospital on March 29. The second case, a 7-year-old boy from Sohag Governorate, developed symptoms on March 26 and was hospitalized on March 29. The third case is a 4-year-old girl from Qalubiea Governorate. She developed symptoms on March 29 and was admitted to hospital the following day.
All three children are receiving treatment and remain in a stable condition. Investigations into the sources of exposure indicate a history of contact with dead birds in each case. Contacts of the children are under surveillance and all remain healthy.
Of the 32 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.
3/29/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced two new human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The cases have been confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The first case, a 6-year-old girl from Qena Governorate, was admitted to hospital on March 25 with symptoms. The second case, a 5-year-old boy from Menia Governorate, was also hospitalised with symptoms on March 25. Both children remain in a stable condition. Initial investigations indicate exposure to sick birds in both cases.
Of the 29 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.
3/27/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case has been confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The 3-year-old girl from Aswan Governorate developed symptoms on March 22 and was hospitalized on March 24 where she remains in a stable condition. Investigations indicate a history of contact with backyard poultry. The case is not linked epidemiologically to either of the two recent cases in Aswan Governorate that were announced on March 19 and 20.
Of the 27 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.
3/20/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The 2-year-old boy from Aswan Governorate developed symptoms on March 15. He was admitted to hospital the following day where he remains in a stable condition. Investigations indicate a history of contact with backyard poultry. No epidemiological link has been found between this case and that of the 10-year-old-girl from the same area that was announced on March 19, 2007.
Of the 26 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.
3/19/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The 10-year-old girl from Aswan Governorate, was admitted to hospital with symptoms on March 13 and her condition remains stable. Investigations indicate that she had recently been exposed to sick poultry. Contacts of the girl are being kept under observation.
Of the 25 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.
3/13/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The 4-year-old boy was from Ad Daqahliyah Governorate. He developed symptoms on March 7, 2007, was admitted to hospital on March 8 and his condition remains stable. The boy was exposed to sick birds during the first three days of March. Contacts of the boy remain healthy and are being closely monitored.
Of the 24 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.
3/1/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The 4-year-old girl was from Dakahlea Governorate. She developed symptoms on February 25, was admitted to hospital on February 26 and her condition remains stable. The girl was exposed to sick birds at her home one week prior to the onset of symptoms. Contacts of the girl remain healthy and are being closely monitored.
Of the 23 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.
2/19/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection. The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The 5-year-old boy from Sharkia Governorate was admitted to hospital with symptoms on February 14, and his condition remains stable. The boy was exposed to sick birds one week prior to the onset of symptoms. Contacts of the boy remain healthy and have been placed under close observation.
Of the 22 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.
2/16/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has confirmed the country's 13th death from H5N1 avian influenza. The 37-year-old female whose infection was announced on February 15, died today.
Of the 21 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.
2/15/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The 37-year-old female from Fayyoum Governorate was admitted to hospital with symptoms on February 12, 2007 and her condition remains stable. She was involved in the slaughter and defeathering of sick birds one week prior to the onset of illness.
Of the 21 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 12 have been fatal.
2/6/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The 17-year-old female from Fayyoum Governorate developed symptoms on January 25, 2007 and was initially treated for seasonal influenza. She was hospitalized on February 1 with fever and breathing difficulties, and died on February 2, 2007. Initial investigations into the source of her exposure indicate the presence of sick and dead poultry at her home in the days prior to the onset of symptoms.
Of the 20 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 12 have been fatal.
1/22/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection. The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
The 27-year-old woman from Beni Sweif Governate developed symptoms on January 9 and died in the hospital on January 19,
2007.
Initial investigations indicate the presence of sick and dead poultry at her residence in the days prior to the onset of illness.
Of the 19 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 11 have been fatal.
1/18/07
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has informed WHO that viruses with a genetic mutation, linked in laboratory testing to moderately reduced susceptibility to
oseltamivir, have been discovered in two persons previously reported with H5N1 infections in Egypt. Both patients had been on treatment with oseltamivir for two days before the clinical samples that yielded the viruses were taken.
The two patients from whom samples were taken were a 16 year-old female and a 26 year-old male from Gharbiyah Province, Egypt. They were a niece and uncle, respectively, who lived in the same house. The girl was admitted to a hospital on December 19, 2006, while the man was admitted on December 17. On December 21, they began receiving 2 tablets per day of
oseltamivir. On December 23 they were moved to a referral hospital. The samples which have so far been tested were taken from the two patients on December 23, 2006. The girl died on December 25 and the man died on December 28, 2006.
In this and all other H5N1 investigations there is close, ongoing coordination between Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population
(MOH&P) and WHO. It was Egypt's monitoring and rapid virological analysis conducted at the Central Public Health Laboratory in Cairo that initially allowed the diagnoses of H5N1 to be made. Confirmatory testing and genetic sequencing was done at NAMRU-3 and at two WHO Collaborating Centers located in Atlanta, USA and London, UK.
At this time there is no indication that oseltamivir resistance is widespread in Egypt or elsewhere. WHO is not making any changes in antiviral treatment recommendations for H5N1-infected persons published in June 2006 because the clinical level of resistance of these mutations is not yet well established. Current laboratory testing suggests that the level of reduced susceptibility is moderate. This mutation has previously been identified in Viet Nam in one case in 2005. Moreover, these mutations are not associated with any known change in the transmissibility of the virus between humans. Based on these considerations, the public health implications at this time are limited. Finally, these findings do not indicate a need for a change in phase level. The WHO pandemic preparedness level remains at three.
The Egyptian authorities, WHO and its Collaborating Centers will continue to share with the public all relevant information from the on-going investigations and analyses as soon as it becomes available.
12/27/06
The World Health Organization reported the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has informed WHO of three new human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. All three cases belong to one extended family in Gharbiyah province, 80 kilometers northwest of the capital city, Cairo. While being transferred and cared for at the country's designated avian influenza hospital, a 30 year-old female, a 15 year-old girl and a 26 year-old male died. The most recent death occurred on December 27. The cases reportedly had contact with sick poultry (ducks).
Clinical specimens from the three cases were tested positive for avian influenza A(H5N1) virus by Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory. The virus was also detected in specimens from two of the three patients by US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3). The samples will be sent to WHO Collaborating Centre for further testing including virus characterization.
The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population is conducting further investigations and has initiated public health measures. The other family members remain healthy and have been placed under close observation.
10/11/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Egypt has confirmed the country’s first case of human infection with the H5N1 virus since May of this year.
The patient is a 39-year-old woman from the Gharbiya governorate in the Nile Delta. She developed symptoms on September 30 and was hospitalized on October 4. She subsequently developed pneumonia. She remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Her recent history includes the home slaughter and de-feathering of around a dozen ducks when signs of illness and deaths began to occur in the flock.
Egypt reported a recurrence of poultry outbreaks in backyard flocks in September 2006.
Previous human cases occurred from late March 2006 through May. To date, the country has reported 15 cases, of which 6 were fatal.
5/18/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported the Ministry of Health in Egypt has confirmed the country’s 14th case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case occurred in a 75-year-old woman from the Al Minya governorate. She developed symptoms on May 11 and died on May 18. As with all other cases in Egypt, her infection has been linked to exposure to diseased birds.
Of the 14 cases in Egypt, six have been fatal.
5/8/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported the Ministry of Health in Egypt announced the country’s 5th death from H5N1 avian influenza on May 5. The death occurred in a previously reported case, a 27-year-old woman from Cairo. She was hospitalized on May 1 and died on May 4.
5/4/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported the Ministry of Health in Egypt has announced the country’s 13th case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. Tests conducted by both the national public health laboratory and the Cairo-based US Naval Medical Research Unit 3 (NAMRU-3) produced positive results.
The patient is a 27-year-old woman from Cairo who was hospitalized with bilateral pneumonia on May 1, 2006 where she is presently in stable condition. Her infection has been linked to exposure to diseased poultry during a recent visit to the Minufiyah governorate. While there, she stayed in a household where numerous chickens were slaughtered.
The woman is the first new case in Egypt reported since early April.
Of the 13 laboratory-confirmed cases in Egypt, four were fatal. Eight patients have fully recovered and been discharged from hospital.
4/21/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported the Ministry of Health in Egypt has informed WHO of the country’s fourth death from H5N1 avian influenza. The death occurred in a previously announced patient, an 18-year-old girl from the northern governorate of
Minufiyah. She developed symptoms on April 5 and died on April 14.
The Ministry of Health regards cases as confirmed when positive results are obtained in two laboratories: the country’s national public health laboratory and the Cairo-based US Naval Medical Research Unit 3 (NAMRU-3). Test results on the country’s initial cases have been fully validated by a WHO collaborating laboratory in the United Kingdom. All cases confirmed by the Ministry of Health are now listed in the WHO cumulative table of laboratory-confirmed cases.
Of the 12 cases in Egypt, four patients have died and one remains hospitalized in stable condition. Seven patients have fully recovered and been discharged from hospital.
4/18/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported April 13th that the Ministry of Health in Egypt has informed WHO of the country’s 12th case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The patient is an 18-year-old girl from the northern governorate of
Minufiyah. She developed symptoms on April 5 and was hospitalized on April 11. She remains hospitalized in stable condition. As with all other cases in Egypt, her infection has been linked to direct contact with diseased birds.
Samples from the patient tested positive for H5N1 infection in the country's Central Public Health Laboratory and the Cairo-based US Naval Medical Research Unit 3 (NAMRU-3).
Of the 12 cases in Egypt, three have died and four remain hospitalized. Five patients have fully recovered and been discharged from hospital.
4/7/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today the Ministry of Health in Egypt has announced the country’s 11th case of human infection with the H5N1 avian virus and its third death. The case occurred in an 18-year-old girl from the Minufiyah governorate, north of Cairo. She developed symptoms on March 29, was hospitalized on April 5 and died on the April 6.
Tests conducted by the country’s Central Public Health Laboratory were positive for H5N1 infection.
To date, Egyptian health authorities have confirmed 11 human cases of H5N1 infection. Three of these cases were fatal. In a pattern similar to that seen elsewhere, all case have occurred in children and young adults, and all have a history of close contact with dead or diseased poultry.
The eighth case is a 31-year-old Egyptian national who works in Jordan. The man recently visited his hometown in Fayoum governorate, south of Cairo, where poultry outbreaks were officially confirmed during the last week of February. While there, he participated in the slaughter of poultry. He returned to Jordan on March 29, following two days of travel by ferry boat. He was hospitalized with symptoms of respiratory disease on March 30. He remains hospitalized in Jordan in stable condition. Given his exposure history and what is known about the incubation period of this disease, health authorities in both Egypt and Jordan have concluded that the man almost certainly acquired his infection while in Egypt.
The ninth case, announced by the government on April 5, is a 16-month-old girl from the southern governorate of
Sohaj. The child’s infection was detected on April 4. She is presently hospitalized in stable condition.
The tenth case, announced today, is an 8-year-old boy from the Qaliubiya governorate near Cairo. He is presently hospitalized in stable condition.
4/3/06
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today the samples from four patients, previously announced by the Egyptian Ministry of Health as infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus, have now been tested in a WHO collaborating laboratory in the United Kingdom. Positive H5N1 results were obtained for all four patients. WHO has updated its cumulative number of cases accordingly.
The four cases were described in WHO updates issued on March 20 and March 29. Two of the patients died. Two patients fully recovered and have now been discharged from hospital.
A fifth patient, previously announced by the Ministry of Health, remains hospitalized. External diagnostic confirmation of this patient, an 18-year-old girl from the Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, is pending.
On April 2, Egyptian authorities announced that an additional two residents of Kafr El-Sheikh, a 6-year-old girl and her 18-month-old sister, were shown to have H5N1 infections in local laboratory tests. Further diagnostic confirmation is pending. Both girls remain hospitalized in stable condition.
Egypt is the ninth country to report laboratory-confirmed human cases in the current outbreak, which began in Vietnam in December 2003. Four of these countries reported their first human cases this year: Turkey, Iraq,
Azerbaijan and Egypt.
3/29/06
The
World Health Organization (WHO) reported today the Ministry of
Health in
Egypt
has confirmed the country’s second fatal case of human
infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The death
occurred in a 30-year-old woman from the Qaliubiya governorate
near
Cairo
. She developed symptoms on March 12 following the home
slaughter of chickens. She was hospitalized on March 16 and died
on March 27.
The
country’s first case, previously
reported, occurred in a 30-year-old woman, also from
Qaliubiya, who died on March 17.
Tests
conducted by the Cairo-based US Naval Medical Research Unit 3
(NAMRU-3) have confirmed an additional three cases.
A
32-year-old man, who worked on a farm where poultry were
recently culled, developed symptoms on March 16 and was
hospitalized the same day. He has since recovered.
A
17-year-old boy, whose father runs a poultry farm in the
Gharbiya governorate in the Nile Delta, developed symptoms on
March 18 and was hospitalized the following day. He has since
recovered.
The fifth
case is an 18-year-old girl from the Kafr El-Sheikh governorate.
She developed symptoms following the slaughter of sick backyard
poultry. She was hospitalized on March 25.
At present,
the Ministry of Health has confirmed all five cases based on
results from the NAMRU-3 laboratory. Samples from these cases
have been sent to a WHO collaborating laboratory in the
United Kingdom
for diagnostic verification. WHO will adjust the figures in its
cumulative number of cases following the results of this
external verification. Test results are expected later this
week.
Health
authorities have screened more than 350 people who were contacts
of these patients or had a recent history of exposure to
diseased birds. All test results have been negative for H5N1
infection.
Egypt
has a large population of poultry, many of which are kept on
roof terraces in close proximity to humans. H5N1 outbreaks in
poultry have now been reported in 19 of the country’s 26
governorates. Since the first outbreak was confirmed on February
17, more than 25 million birds have died or been destroyed.
3/20/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Egypt has confirmed the country’s first case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The case occurred in a 30-year-old woman from the Gaiubia governorate near Cairo. She developed symptoms in early March following close contact with diseased chickens, ducks, and a turkey in the household flock. She was hospitalized on March 16 and died the following day.
Monitoring of the woman’s family members and close contacts has found no signs of influenza-like illness. Testing was conducted by the US Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU-3), which is based in Cairo. Samples are being sent abroad for diagnostic verification and further analysis by a WHO collaborating laboratory. WHO will adjust the figures in its cumulative number of cases following the results of this external verification.
Egypt confirmed its first H5N1 outbreak in poultry on February 17. The virus has since been reported in 18 of the country’s 26 governorates. In Egypt, poultry are often kept in close proximity to households, also in urban areas.
Indonesia
7/11/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 6-year-old male from Banten Province developed symptoms on July 1 and was hospitalized on July 5 where he died on July 8. The Ministry of Health is currently investigating the source of infection.
Of the 102 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 81 have been fatal.
6/25/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 3-year-old female from Riau Province developed symptoms on June 18 and has since recovered. Investigations into the source of her infection indicate exposure to sick and dead poultry.
Of the 101 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 80 have been fatal.
6/6/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 16-year-old female from Kendal district, Central Java province developed symptoms on May 21, was hospitalized on May 25 and died in the hospital on May 29, 2007. Initial investigations into the source of her infection indicate exposure to dead poultry.
Of the 99 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 79 have been fatal.
5/31/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 45-year-old male from Grobogan district, Central Java Province developed symptoms on May 17, was hospitalized on May 26 and died in hospital on May 28, 2007. Initial investigations into the source of his infection indicate exposure to dead poultry.
Of the 98 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 78 have been fatal.
5/24/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 5-year-old female from Wonogiri district, Central Java Province developed symptoms on May 8, was hospitalized on May 15 and died in the hospital on May 17. Initial investigations into the source of her infection indicate exposure to dead poultry.
Of the 97 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 77 have been fatal.
5/16/07
The World Health Organization reported today they can now confirm 15 additional cases, including 13 deaths of human infection with H5N1 avian influenza that occurred in Indonesia from the end of January 2007 up to the present and has updated its table of confirmed human cases accordingly.
Testing for H5N1 influenza virus infections is not done routinely by many laboratories and among the laboratories that do test for H5N1, experience and levels of diagnostic capacities can vary. WHO had previously required external confirmation of laboratory results from Indonesia, but following a formal on-site assessment of the capacity of national laboratory in Jakarta to diagnose H5 avian influenza viruses, WHO will now accept the results from the national laboratory, in collaboration with the Eijkman Institute without further external confirmation.
The assessment was carried out by a WHO team of virologists and laboratory scientists from the WHO Collaborating Centre in Tokyo, Japan, the national influenza centers of India and Thailand, the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia and the WHO Country Office of Indonesia.
Of the 96 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 76 have been fatal.
1/29/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 6-year-old female from Magelang District in Central Java Province developed symptoms on January 8 and died in hospital on January 19, 2007. Initial investigations into the source of her infection indicate exposure to dead poultry.
Of the 81 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 63 have been fatal.
1/22/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 26-year-old woman from West Java Province developed symptoms on January 11 and died in the hospital on January 19, 2007. Initial investigations of the source of her infection indicate that the woman had been involved in the slaughter of sick chickens in the days prior to symptom onset.
Of the 80 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 62 have been fatal.
1/15/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health of Indonesia has confirmed the death of a 22-year-old woman from Tangerang City, Banten Province. The woman, whose infection was announced on January 12, died later that same day.
The Ministry of Health has also confirmed two additional cases of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza.
A 22-year-old woman from South Jakarta developed symptoms on January 6, 2007 and died on January 12, 2007. Investigations into the source of her exposure found reports of bird deaths near her home in the days prior to symptom onset.
The 18-year-old son of the 37-year-old woman from Tangerang City, Banten Province has now also been confirmed as infected with H5N1 avian influenza. He remains in hospital in a critical condition. Investigations into the source of his infection indicate similar environmental exposure as his mother.
Of the 79 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 61 have been fatal.
1/12/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed the country's 59th death from H5N1 avian influenza. The 38 year old woman from
Tangerang, Banten Province whose infection was announced on January 9, died in hospital on January 11, 2007.
The Ministry of Health has also confirmed a new case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The 22 year old woman from Banten Province developed symptoms on January 3, 2007 and remains in hospital. An initial investigation into the source of her exposure found reports of chicken deaths near her home in the days prior to symptom onset.
Of the 77 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 59 have been fatal.
1/11/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed the country's 58th death from H5N1 avian influenza. The 14 year old boy from West Jakarta, whose infection was announced on January 9, died on January 10 after being hospitalized.
Of the 76 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 58 have been fatal.
1/9/07
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed an additional two cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The first newly-confirmed case is a 14 year old male from West Jakarta. He developed symptoms on December 31, 2006 and was hospitalized on January 4, 2007, he remains hospitalized. Deaths among poultry in the neighborhood have recently been reported. The source of exposure is currently under investigation.
The second case is a 37 year old female from
Tangerang, Banten Province. She developed symptoms on January 1, 2007 and was hospitalized on January 6, 2007. She remains in intensive care. Initial investigations suggest sick poultry as the possible source of infection.
Of the 76 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 57 have been fatal.
11/29/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed the country's 57th death from H5N1 avian influenza. The 35-year-old female, whose infection was announced on November 13, died early in the morning on November 28 in hospital.
Of the 74 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 57 have been fatal.
11/15/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed an additional two cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The first newly-confirmed case is a 35-year-old female from Tangerang in Banten Province. She developed symptoms on November 7 and was hospitalized on November 10. She remains hospitalized. Her source of exposure is currently under investigation.
The second case occurred in a 30-month-old male from Karawang in West Java Province. He developed symptoms on November 5, was hospitalized on November 10, and died on November 13. An initial investigation of his exposure source found reports of chicken deaths near his home in the days prior to symptom onset.
Of the 74 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 56 have been
fatal.
10/16/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed an additional three cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. All three cases were fatal.
The first newly confirmed case occurred in a 67-year-old woman from West Java Province. She developed symptoms on October 3, was hospitalized on October 7 and died on October 15. Diagnosis was complicated by the presence of chronic diseases. Chickens reportedly died in her household and neighborhood prior to symptom onset.
The second case was an 11-year-old male from South Jakarta, Jakarta Province. He developed symptoms on October 2, was hospitalized on October 5 and died on October 14. His recent history included exposure to dead chickens in his neighborhood.
The third case was a 27-year-old female from Central Java Province. She developed symptoms on October 8, was hospitalized on October 12 and died on October 13. The source of her exposure is currently under investigation.
Of the 72 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 55 have been fatal.
10/3/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed the country’s 69th case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The case is a 21-year-old female from East Java Province. She developed symptoms on September 19 and was hospitalized on September 25; she remains hospitalized.
She is the sister of a confirmed H5N1 case, an 11-year-old male who died on September 18. Following that fatal case, health authorities initiated contact tracing, and on September 24 they received reports of symptoms in the sister. In line with the national protocol, she was immediately given the antiviral drug, oseltamivir, and isolated in hospital.
The source of her infection is presently under investigation. Poultry deaths in the family's household were noted both before and during the illness of the brother. The woman was likely exposed to these poultry as well as to her brother.
Of the 69 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 52 have been fatal.
9/28/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed the country’s 52nd death from H5N1 avian influenza. The 20-year-old man, whose infection was announced on September 27, died early in the morning of September 28.
Of the 68 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 52 have been fatal.
9/27/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed the country’s 68th case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The patient is a 20-year-old male from
Bandung, West Java. He developed symptoms of fever and cough on September 17 and was hospitalized on September 24, he remains hospitalized.
The man’s 23-year-old brother developed symptoms on September 16. He died of respiratory disease on September 24, two hours after admission to hospital. Infection with the H5N1 virus is suspected for the 23-year-old male, but cannot be confirmed as no samples were collected for testing. Both men had direct contact with dead chickens when feeding carcasses to their dogs. Local agricultural authorities also found evidence of H5 infection in household birds.
A third sibling, a 15-year-old female, was hospitalized on September 25 after developing symptoms of fever and cough. Initial test results received on September 27 were negative for the H5 virus subtype and positive for the H1 subtype, indicating an infection with normal seasonal influenza. She remains hospitalized in a stable condition.
Of the 68 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 51 have been fatal.
9/25/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed two additional cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. Both cases were fatal.
The first case occurred in an 11-year-old boy from East Java Province. He developed symptoms of fever and cough on September 16 was hospitalized on September 18, he died the same day. Poultry in the child's household began dying in the month prior to symptom onset, and poultry deaths continued thereafter in his neighborhood.
The second case occurred in a 9-year-old boy from South Jakarta. He developed symptoms of fever and a runny nose on September 13, was hospitalized on September 20, and died on September 22. His history showed recent contact with sick chickens, which he kept as pets.
9/14/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed two additional cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. These cases occurred in March and May 2006.
The first case occurred in a five-year-old male from East Bekasi, West Java Province. He developed symptoms on March 4, 2006, was admitted to hospital on March 6, and died on March 19. Test results, using two different assays, showed high antibody titer for H5N1 on consecutive serum samples taken on days 11 and 15 of his illness. These test results are consistent with new WHO criteria for laboratory confirmation. A field investigation at the time found that the case was exposed to diseased poultry in the vicinity of his home, where some birds tested positive for the H5 virus subtype.
The second case is a 27-year-old male from
Solok, West Sumatra Province. This case was identified during the tracing of contacts of the man’s sister, a 15-year-old female who developed symptoms on May 17, 2006 and was subsequently confirmed to be H5N1 infected. Her brother spent six days caring for her during her hospital stay. The brother developed mild symptoms of cough and abdominal discomfort, with no fever, on May 28, 2006; his symptoms remained mild and he recovered within a few days.
Despite his mild and atypical symptoms, the brother was tested as part of the Ministry of Health’s protocol for contact tracing and the management of any contacts with symptoms. He was given a five-day course of oseltamivir beginning on June 1 and was placed in voluntary isolation pending recovery.
Initial tests of samples collected from the 27-year-old male were negative for H5N1 infection. In August, follow-up testing of paired-serum samples found a fourfold rise in neutralization antibody titer for H5N1, a test result which meets the WHO criteria for laboratory confirmation.
The 27-year-old male reported no contact with diseased or dead poultry in the days prior to symptom onset as he spent most of his time at the hospital. The investigation determined that he had exposure to his sister during her hospital stay, and that human-to-human transmission could not be ruled out as the source of his infection.
The retrospectively confirmed cases bring the total in Indonesia to 65. Of these cases, 49 have been fatal.
9/8/06
The World Health Organization reported today the Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed a new case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case is a 14-year-old female from
Makassar, South Sulawesi Province. She developed symptoms on June 18, was hospitalized on June 23 and died on June 24. The case had contact with poultry near her home and was detected through the Ministry’s routine influenza surveillance system.
In addition to the above case and following the recent revision of case definitions for H5N1 infection, WHO is adding two cases in Indonesia, dating back to June and November of 2005. Inclusion of these two cases now aligns figures given for Indonesia in the WHO cumulative table of laboratory-confirmed cases with those officially issued by the Ministry of Health. Prior to the revision, the cases did not meet the WHO case definition for serologically confirmed avian influenza H5N1 infection.
The first retrospectively confirmed case was an 8-year-old female from Tangerang in Banten Province. She developed symptom | 
