Human To Human Transmission Cluster: Pakistan Might Be at High Risk of Bird Flu (H5 N1) Epidemic

Muhammad K. Shahzad*, Muhammad A Khan 1, Tayyaba Ijaz 2, and Sadia Ijaz3

Department of Pathology, 1 Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University of veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan; 2 Microbiology research and Diagnostic Lab Mayo Hospital Lahore; and 3 Services institute of Medical Sciences

Corresponding Author*

Accepted: September 30, 2007

Abstract :

Continuing outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a number of Asian countries, caused by an influenza type A virus of H5N1 subtype represent a serious risk for animal and public health worldwide (Ilaria and Stefano, 2004). New serotypes go on emerging between epidemics as a result of either through antigenic shift or through the recombination process between Human and Animal Influenza viruses. The later school of thought is more supportive since human Antigens have been found in cells infected with different strains of Animal influenza virus. The disease in animal and humans occurs in all the possible epidemiological farms I, E., sporadic endemic (enzootic) epidemic (epizootic) and pandemic (pan-zootic) in different parts of the globe. (Pilaipan et al., 2005, Capua et al., 2004, Murphy et al., 1996 and Webster et al., 1982)