title: Avian influenza virus: the threat of a pandemic.
abstract: The 1918 influenza A virus pandemic caused a death toll of 40 to approximately 50 million. Currently, because of the widespread dissemination of the avian influenza virus (H5N1), there is a high risk of another pandemic. Avian species are the natural hosts for numerous subtypes of influenza A viruses; however, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) is not only extremely lethal to domestic avian species but also can infect humans and cause death. This review discusses why the avian influenza virus is considered the most likely candidate for the first flu pandemic of the 21st century.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shih-Cheng
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yi-Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Shin-Ru
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Shih
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D053126:Influenza A Virus, H7N7 Subtype; D053127:Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009154:Mutation; D011200:Poultry; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission