Avian influenza A (H5N1) - update 21 - WHO
Guidelines for global surveillance of today on its website guidelines for global surveillance to control the spread of H5N1 infection in humans and animals shall be published. The guidelines include the definition of a laboratory confirmed case of infection with H5N1 virus, and describe the procedures for reporting to WHO. The guidelines also provide recommended procedures to monitor changes in transmission patterns and identify possible transmission to humans. The guidelines state that monitoring of the global spread of H5N1 virus infections in humans and animals, and the first signs that the person can improve transmission occur.recommend the use of standardized procedures and reporting forms to improve the quality of the information by the WHO on appropriate control measures
are necessary.Situation (birds), Chinese authorities announced that China suspected outbreak of H5N1 bird flu on a chicken farm in Tianjin. Spread to other farms in different provinces have also been reported. In general, outbreaks of H5N1 in poultry is suspected or confirmed in 39 companies in the countrys 14 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. To date, no human cases have been reported in China.
WHO has today received the results of a study of virus isolated from a woman of 23 years (see Updates 19 and 20) which is part of a family cluster in Viet Nam under investigation As the first instance of human resources for the transmission rights. Virus genetic material from this woman, as for other cases in this group, is of avian origin and contains nohuman influenza genes.