Clinical review: update of avian influenza A infections in humans.
Influenza A viruses have a wide host range for infection, from wild waterfowl to poultry to humans. Recently, the cross-species transmission of avian influenza A, particularly subtype H5N1, has highlighted the importance of the non-human subtypes and their incidence in the human population has increased over the past decade. During cross-species transmission, human disease can range from the asymptomatic to mild conjunctivitis to fulminant pneumonia and death. With these cases, however, the risk for genetic change and development of a novel virus increases, heightening the need for public health and hospital measures. This review discusses the epidemiology, host range, human disease, outcome, treatment, and prevention of cross-transmission of avian influenza A into humans.
Sandrock
Christian
C
School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. cesandrock@ucdavis.edu
Kelly
Terra
T
D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000662:veterinary; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D014943:Global Health; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D053126:Influenza A Virus, H7N7 Subtype; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D011200:Poultry; D015047:Zoonoses