Update on Avian Flu --Dec 2008
The reappearance of a lethal strain of avian influenza in Hong Kong, India (West Bengal
& Assam states) and Indonesia last few weeks highlights the potential threat the virus
poses to humans as the traditional winter flu season approaches.
On 9 Dec, Hong Kong banned the import of poultry for 21 days and culled more than
80,000 birds after 3 chickens found dead in a farm tested positive for the H5 virus.
On 16 Dec, China announced that poultry in eastern Jiangsu province ( Hai’an &
Dongtai counties) tested positive for the bird flu virus, and that 377,000 fowls have been
culled to contain the spread. Dongtai is north of Hai’an and a vital source of poultry in
Jiangsu, raising more than 80 million fowls a year.
The current situation can be summarized in the 2 tables below. The most recently
confirmed case of human avian influenza was reported to WHO from Egypt on 16 Dec
2008.
Countries / areas with documented avian influenza H5N1 infection in birds and humans in the recent 6 months
Country/ Area Date of last report of human or animal case Human cases Poultry cases Wild bird cases
Bangladesh 2008-11-20 N Y N
Benin 2008-08-25 N Y N
Cambodia 2008-12-12 Y N N
China
Guangdong 2008-06-20 N Y N
Hong Kong 2008-12-09 N Y Y
Jiangsu 2008-12-16 N Y N
Egypt 2008-12-16 Y Y N
Germany 2008-10-10 N Y N
India 2008-12-11 N Y N
Indonesia 2008-12-09 Y Y N
Japan 2008-06-01 N N Y
Laos 2008-12-01 N Y N
Nigeria 2008-07-25 N Y N
Pakistan 2008-06-26 N Y N
Thailand 2008-11-17 N Y N
Togo 2008-09-18 N Y N
Vietnam 2008-11-27 N Y N
(Remarks: Y: Yes; N: No)
Source: WHO and OIE
Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO – updated 16 Dec 2008
Country 2008
cases deaths
Bangladesh 1 0
Cambodia 1 0
China 3 3
Egypt 8 4
Indonesia 22 18
Viet Nam 5 5
Total 40 30
Total number of cases includes number of deaths.WHO reports only laboratory-confirmed cases.
Do take note of the following:-
1. Avoid touching any birds and poultry or their droppings.
2. Do not visit farms or parks with wild birds.
3. Refrain from feeding pigeons in public open areas.
4. Do wash your hands immediately with soap if in contact with birds or poultry.
5. Observe food hygiene. Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating.
The SingHealth Team