Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Flu Scan for Jun 07, 2013

H5N1 death in Egypt raises global total to 630 cases

The World Health Organization's (WHO's) latest monthly update on human H5N1 avian flu infections reported cases in a Cambodian girl whose illness was already reported by the WHO's Western Pacific regional office on May 17 and in an Egyptian woman who died from her illness.

H5N1 in Egypt
Host-response virus study

Flu Scan for Jun 06, 2013

Study tallies obstacles to treating H5N1 patients in Cambodia

A study that profiled H5N1 avian infections and their costs in Cambodia found that care of the typically young patients is hampered by hospitalization delays, inadequate antiviral treatment, and poor access to mechanical ventilation, researchers reported today.

H5N1 challenges in Cambodia
H7N9 developments

Flu Scan for Jun 03, 2013

Shanghai man is 38th H7N9 fatality

A 59-year-old Shanghai man died of H7N9 influenza on May 31, becoming the 38th person to succumb to the infection, according to a report from the Chinese state new agency, Xinhua. The man had been sick for nearly 2 months, the story said.

Shanghai, where two of the first three H7N9 cases were reported on Mar 31, has had 33 cases, the report said. Fifteen patients have recovered, 15 died, and 3 are still being treated.

H7N9 death in Shanghai
Low-path avian flu in Denmark, Netherlands

China ends local emergency responses to H7N9

(CIDRAP News) – Local emergency responses to H7N9 influenza outbreaks in China have all ended, a Chinese media report said today, as the World Health Organization (WHO) released an overview of what has been learned about the virus and the disease since it emerged 2 months ago.

Robert Roos

FLU NEWS SCAN: H5N1 in Nepal, Southern Hemisphere flu rise

Researchers find easy development of H7N9 Tamiflu resistance

(CIDRAP News) – Antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) are useful for treating H7N9 influenza infections, but there are worrisome signs that resistance can easily develop when patients take the drug, which can lead to a poor prognosis, researchers from China and Hong Kong reported today.

Lisa Schnirring

Experts mull H7N9 bird market findings, assess rapid tests

Chinese officials are wrapping up the bird sampling part of the investigation into the novel H7N9 avian flu virus, as international experts weigh the effect of live-bird market closures assess diagnostic tests, and explore candidate vaccine viruses.

Lisa Schnirring

Unusual pathogens ruled out in Alabama illness cluster

(CIDRAP News) – Test results on a cluster of Alabama patients hospitalized with similar respiratory symptoms indicated no unusual pathogens but instead a variety of common respiratory viruses and bacteria, state health officials announced today.

Lisa Schnirring

Study: H7N9 shows limited aerosol transmission in ferrets

(CIDRAP News) – The first study in animals to test-drive transmission of the new H7N9 virus found that it can spread by the airborne route in ferrets, but not very efficiently, an international team reported today in Science.

Lisa Schnirring

Study of H7N9 cases shows extent of severe disease

(CIDRAP News) – Researchers from China today published a detailed clinical analysis of 111 patients sickened in the country's H7N9 influenza outbreak that showed how severe patients' illnesses have been, with 77% admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).

Lisa Schnirring