Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1): pathways of exposure at the animal-human interface, a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The threat posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 viruses to humans remains significant, given the continued occurrence of sporadic human cases (499 human cases in 15 countries) with a high case fatality rate (approximately 60%), the endemicity in poultry populations in several countries, and the potential for reassortment with the newly emerging 2009 H1N1 pandemic strain. Therefore, we review risk factors for H5N1 infection in humans.

Methods and findings

Several epidemiologic studies have evaluated the risk factors associated with increased risk of H5N1 infection among humans who were exposed to H5N1 viruses. Our review shows that most H5N1 cases are attributed to exposure to sick poultry. Most cases are sporadic, while occasional limited human-to-hum

SUBMITTER: Van Kerkhove MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3025925 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature