| Human Biology 115A: Humans and Viruses Professor Robert David Seigel |
Aaron Platt-Ross
aaronpr@stanford.edu |
| H5N1 | A Type A Influenza subtype, all of the viral proteins come from avian viruses. The human infection is
only a zoonosis. |
| Like other influenza a viruses, H5N1 has a two to three day incubation period. | |
| The virus is transmitted from foul to humans by close contact with poultry or surfaces contaminated with their fluids. Birds shed the virus in their saliva, feces, mucosal secretions. The virus does not transmit between humans. | |
| The human illness consists of regular flulike symptoms, especially fever, cough, and sore throat. In deadly cases, patients presented pneumonia and more severe respiratory disease. Fatalities occured in immune competent and previously healthy individuals as well as those with lowered immunity due to chronic conditions. The virus was first seen in 1997, when there were 18 documented cases in Hong Kong and 6 deaths. Since then, the virus has had similar death rates, much higher than human influenza viruses. | |
| Authorities have attempted to control spread of the virus to humans by slaughtering domestic foul, and controlling the spread among commercially owned foul. Those in contact with foul are recomended to receive the influenza vaccine to prevent coinfection, which could lead to antigenic shift. Workers may also receive antiviral drugs, which have had mixed success with the strain. |