Avian Influenza: What the family practitioner should know

Abstract

Human immunity to influenza A virus depends on the specific subtype. Mortality after exposure to subtypes commonly causing human infection is low (approximately 0.1%). Other subtypes are specifically adapted to cause disease in birds. These subtypes are known as ‘avian influenza’. Under cer t a i n circumstances avian influenza can also be transmitted to humans, causing a severe infection known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), with a mortality currently exceeding 50%.