| H5N1 in Asia
Background Outbreaks of highly pathogenic influenza A (H5N1) occurred
among poultry in eight countries in Asia (Cambodia, China,
Indonesia, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam)
during late 2003 and early 2004. At that time, more than
100 million birds either died from the disease or were
culled.
From December 30, 2003, to March 17, 2004, there were 12
human cases of confirmed H5N1 influenza in Thailand and
23 in Vietnam, including 23 deaths. No conclusive evidence
of sustained human-to-human transmission was found.
Recent Developments Beginning in late June 2004, new lethal outbreaks of H5N1
among poultry were reported by several countries in Asia:
Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
In August, the Vietnamese Ministry of Health officially
reported 3 human deaths from confirmed avian influenza
H5 infection. These were the first reported human cases
since the second wave of H5N1 infection among poultry.
On September 7, WHO received informal reports of an additional
human death in Vietnam. In September, three new human cases
were reported in Thailand.
More Information
For more information about this outbreak, including CDC
interim guidance and travel advice, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreak.htm.
For more information about infection in birds, visit the
World Organization for Animal Health website at http://www.oie.int or
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
website at http://www.fao.org/ag/avian.html.
For more information about infections in humans, visit
the World Health Organization (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en/.
Bird Import Ban
On February 4, 2004, CDC and USDA issued
an order for a ban on the import
of all birds (Class: Aves) from affected areas in Southeast
Asia. On March 10, 2004, the U.S. embargo of birds and
bird products from Hong Kong; all other provisions of the
ban were to remain in effect until further notice.
Travel
Please read Updated
Information for Travelers about Avian Influenza A(H5N1) | 
