First human infection with Influenza A H5N1 confirmed in Bangladesh
The first human case of influenza A H5N1 recognized in Bangladesh and was notified to WHO by Bangladesh Government on 22 May, 2008. The case occurred in a 15 month old child from Dhaka. He developed fever and difficulty breathing, but recovered completely. His likely exposure was to a chicken that was slaughtered in his household. Physicians who see patients with serious respiratory illness should take a history of exposure to sick poultry and contact IEDCR if they suspect highly pathogenic avian influenza.
We report the first case of human infection with influenza A, H5N1 confirmed in Bangladesh. The case was identified as part of the population based surveillance in urban Dhaka. Upon laboratory confirmation of the case an investigation team re-evaluated the affected child and family and investigated potential sources for the infection.
The World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization monitor strains of influenza circulating globally to identify dangerous emerging strains with the hope that early recognition and intervention a high mortality pandemic can be avoided. Strains of Influenza A, H5N1, first identified in Hong Kong in 1997 have been circulating in Asia since 2001. These strains have caused high mortality outbreaks among poultry throughout Asia, and in many countries in Europe and Africa. The H5N1 virus is a adapted to birds, the natural host of influenza viruses. However, these strains occasionally infect humans. Among the 383 human cases of H5N1 recognized and reported to the World Health Organization by 28 May 2008, 241 (63%) had died. If the H5N1 virus develops the capacity to efficiently transmit from person to person, this could cause a deadly pandemic.
The government of Bangladesh confirmed the presence of influenza A, H5N1 virus in poultry in March 2007 and since then poultry outbreaks of H5N1 have been confirmed in 47 of the 64 districts in Bangladesh. ICDDR,B collaborates with the Government of Bangladesh on human surveillance for influenza under two broad activities, national hospital surveillance in 12 hospitals across the country and population based surveillance in a low income community in urban Dhaka.
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