Avian Influenza Response
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A market in Hanoi, Vietnam with chickens, geese, doves, and rabbits. Close proximity of animals and humans facilitates the spread of diseases such as avian influenza. To date, 91 of the 118 reported cases of avian influenza in humans have been in Vietnam.
Source: CDC/Mark Simmerman |
Since mid-December 2003, 10 Asian countries have reported outbreaks of the “H5N1” avian influenza in domestic poultry, including chickens and ducks. Avian influenza, or "bird flu,” is a highly contagious viral disease that is particularly lethal to domesticated birds. As a result, there have been large economic losses as flocks have died from the disease, birds have been culled as a measure to control the spread of avian influenza, and trade embargoes put in place. In addition, the H5N1 form of the disease has shown the capacity to infect other animals including humans.
From January 2004 until now, outbreaks have been confirmed
among poultry in Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia,
Japan, Laos, Malaysia, South Korea, and Thailand. North
Korea recently reported incidents of avian influenza,
but the influenza strain is not the H5N1 type. As of October 21, 2005, there have been a total of 118 human cases (with 61 deaths) in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand.
The presence of human cases and the continual mutation of the virus have raised concerns that the current situation could lead to a pandemic if the virus develops the ability to spread efficiently from human-to-human. Some estimates show that a mutation of the H5N1 to human-to-human transmissible strain could result in 2 million deaths worldwide or considerably more if it is not effectively contained. This virus has the ability to jump the species barrier. The most deadly flu epidemics in history have started with a similar leap, notably the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918, which killed an estimated 20 to 50 million people.
USAID Responds
On May 11, 2005, the President signed an emergency appropriations bill which contained $25 million to prevent and control the spread of avian influenza. USAID is working with other U.S. Government agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of State – in what Assistant Secretary of State John Turner called “a model of cooperation" – to ensure an effective and coordinated approach to this public health and economic threat.
More information on the USAID response
Most recent developments and actions
Related USAID Programs
Additional Information on Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
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