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| Wave | Period |
Cases, including death |
| 1 | 2003-12-26 to 2004-03-10 | 35 cases, including 24 deaths |
| 2 | 2004-07-19 to 2004-08-10 | 9 cases, including 8 deaths |
| 3 | 2004-12-16 to present | 64 cases, including 22 deaths |
On June 28th, 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the Ministry of Health in Vietnam has confirmed an additional case of human infection with H5N1 avian influenza. The case occurred in the northern province of Ha Tay in May 2005.
Wave 1 - 23 cases, including 16 deaths
Wave 2 - 4 cases, including 4 deaths
Wave 3 - 60 cases, including 18 deaths
To date, Vietnam has reported a total of 87 human cases of avian influenza infection, including 38 deaths.
Wave 1: nil
Wave 2: nil
Wave 3: 4 cases, including 4 deaths.
To date, Cambodia has reported a total of 4 human cases of avian influenza infection, all of which have been fatal.
Wave 1: 12 cases, including 8 deaths
Wave 2: 5 cases, including 4 deaths
Wave 3: nil
To date, Thailand has reported a total of 17 human cases of avian influenza infection, including 12 deaths. The last reported case in Thailand occurred in October of 2004.
The World Health Organization has developed a chart depicting human case counts by region and time period. The case counts contained within this chart may differ slightly from the cumulative figures reported in past advisories, as case counts have been amended to account for figures recently provided to the WHO from Vietnam.
Source: World Health Organization
Avian influenza is a contagious viral infection that can affect all species of birds but can, less commonly, infect humans.
The first documented infection of humans with an avian influenza virus occurred in Hong Kong in 1997, when the H5N1 strain caused severe respiratory disease in 18 humans, six of whom died. The infection in humans coincided with an epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, caused by the same strain, in Hong Kong's poultry population.
At this time, there is no vaccine that protects against the avian influenza H5N1 virus. While the current seasonal flu shot does not protect against the avian influenza H5N1 virus, immunization with it may be of benefit for travellers to geographic regions where human cases of H5N1 are being reported. Individuals who are immunized with the seasonal influenza vaccine are less likely to contract seasonal influenza. This in turn reduces the likelihood of an immunized individual becoming infected with both human and avian forms of influenza at the same time. Should a person be infected with both viruses at the same time, there is a possibility that the two viruses could "mix" and mutate into a new virus that could be spread efficiently and against which, humans would have no immunity.
Several anti-viral drugs are available for the prevention and treatment of seasonal influenza in Canada. Although, none of the anti-viral drugs have been shown to prevent H5N1, studies done through the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network have shown that the anti-viral Oseltamivir may be effective in the treatment of H5N1.
Recommendations
As a precautionary measure, it would be prudent that travellers to Thailand, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Laos, where avian influenza A (H5N1) outbreaks have been reported, consider the following measures:
The Public Health Agency of Canada advises that travellers to the countries mentioned above, not consume undercooked fowl, raw eggs, or lightly cooked egg products (such as runny eggs). Travellers should ensure that all food products listed above be well cooked before being consumed, as evidence suggests the virus becomes inactive when cooked. While to date there has been no evidence that the virus is transmitted through contaminated food, the above precautionary measure should be followed until further information is available. Normal precautions regarding food storage, handling and preparation should be followed. Travellers are further advised to maintain high standards of hygiene, including thorough hand washing, particularly after having contacted eggs or undercooked fowl and egg products and to avoid cross contamination with other food products. Using hot, soapy water and lathering for at least 20 seconds is the single most important procedure for preventing infections. This is because disease-causing micro-organisms can frequently be found on the hands. Alternatively, travellers can use waterless, alcohol-based antiseptic hand rinses. If there is visible soiling, hands should be washed with soap and water before using waterless antiseptic hand rinses. If soap and water are unavailable, cleanse hands first with detergent-containing towelettes to remove visible soil. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that travellers avoid unnecessary contact with live fowl. This includes poultry farms as well as markets where live animals such as chickens and ducks are sold, as these animals have been found to be carriers of the avian influenza virus. Travellers should be aware that it is possible for the avian influenza virus to stick to hair and clothing, and may be inhaled. Research has shown that the risk of direct transmission of H5N1 infection from birds to humans is greatest in persons having close contact with live, infected poultry. Travellers are advised not to bring fowl or egg products from these affected countries into Canada. |
The Public Health Agency of Canada routinely recommends that Canadian international travellers seek the advice of their personal physician or travel clinic prior to international travel, regardless of destination, for an individual risk assessment to determine their individual health risks and their need for vaccination, preventative medication, and personal protective measures.
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends, as well, that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada should seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician, without being asked, that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada, and where they have been.
Information on Avian Influenza from the Public Health Agency of Canada
Information on Influenza from the Public Health Agency of Canada
Other related information from the Public Health Agency of Canada
External Sources of Information
For additional information on Avian Influenza A (H5N1) f rom the World
Health Organization (WHO) visit the WHO
Avian Influenza Disease Page
For international reports of the flu, visit the World Health Organization influenza web site
For international reports of infected animals by country, visit the World Organization for Animal Health
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Last Updated: 2005-06-30 |  |
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