Avian influenza: are our feathers ruffled?
Ann Saudi Med
; 26(3): 175-82, 2006.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16861860
ABSTRACT
During the past century, three major influenza pandemics took place, leading to a devastating number of deaths. Pandemics occur through the emergence of a new strain of influenza virus that can infect humans, to which there is little pre-existing immunity and which spreads easily from human to human. The H5N1 influenza virus has the potential of becoming a pandemic virus, since it can infect humans and is highly pathogenic. All that remains is the final step of acquiring the genetic material to enable efficient human-to-human transmission. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared pandemic alert phase 3, the last phase before there is actual evidence of increased and efficient human-to-human transmission. In addition, every case of transmission of an avian influenza virus to humans is regarded by WHO as a cause for heightened alertness and surveillance. The circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in large numbers among the poultry population in a growing number of countries is a major concern. Since the influenza viruses are highly unstable, the co-circulation of highly pathogenic animal viruses with human viruses may create opportunities for different species-specific viruses to exchange genetic material, giving rise to a new influenza virus to which humans would have little, if any, protective immunity. In this article, we highlight the current avian influenza situation from its different aspects with a special focus on the Hajj since we host over 2 million pilgrims a year in the holy cities of Mekkah and Medina.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Viagem
/
Surtos de Doenças
/
Influenza Humana
/
Virus da Influenza A Subtipo H5N1
/
Influenza Aviária
Tipo de estudo:
Screening_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
País como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article