A Review of Human Influenza A(H5N1) Cases in 2013
In 2013, 38 human cases of Influenza A(H5N1) were reported from around the world. This number represents an 18% increase over the number of reported cases in 2012. Six countries reported cases in 2013, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Cambodia reported about 71% (27) of all cases reported in 2013. In 2013, children younger than 10 years old represent about 63% of all cases. No human clusters were reported in 2013. Relative to other countries, Cambodia experienced the greatest percentage increase in human infections in a short period of time. The continued low frequency of reported infections does not eliminate H5N1 as a pandemic threat. Influenza A(H5N1), (often referred to “bird flu” or avian influenza or HPAI), is an emerging infectious disease. It was first detected in humans in Hong Kong in 1997. Since 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been monitoring human outbreaks of H5N1. Through December 31, 2013, WHO has offi...