Section 2. Avian Influenza and Humans
Bird Flu - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1
Bird flu specifically refers to the HPAI H5N1 strain that has killed millions of birds.
HPAI H5N1 is also one of the few avian influenza viruses that can infect humans. Found in Hong Kong in 1997, it has made the most people sick from an avian influenza virus.1
As of June 13, 2016, HPAI H5N1 has been found in 16 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Middle East, and Europe. 851 people have been infected since 2003 and 450 of those people have died. The virus has killed over half (53%) of those infected.4
| World Health Organization - Confirmed Human Cases of HPAI H5N1 (2003-2013) |
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| © WHO 2016 |