Eight Asian countries had outbreaks of avian flu among poultry in the latter part of 2003 and the first part of 2004. More than 100 million birds in those countries either died from avian flu or were destroyed to prevent further spread of the disease.

By March 2004, experts believed the outbreak was under control, but a new outbreak erupted three months later among poultry in Vietnam. Outbreaks of bird flu also were documented the next year in Turkey and Romania.

North America

1983-84, United States: An outbreak of avian influenza took two years to get under control. Conservative estimates state that more than 17 million birds were culled at a cost of over $65 million.

1992, Mexico: An outbreak of H5N2 avian flu began in Mexico in 1992. The outbreak started with a relatively low capability of causing disease and evolved into a highly fatal form. It wasn’t effectively controlled until 1995.

2002, Virginia: After an outbreak of H7N2 among poultry in a production area in the Shenandoah Valley, one person developed evidence of an H7N2 infection.

2003, New York: A man with serious underlying health conditions was admitted to a hospital in New York after complaining of respiratory problems. He received standard antiviral treatment and recovered. Doctors first thought he suffered from the H1N1 “human” flu. After sending samples to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for further tests, they discovered he was infected with H7N2 avian influenza.

2004, Canada: An H7N3 outbreak among poultry in British Columbia caused mild illnesses and eye infections in poultry workers. To control the spread of the virus, the poultry in the region was culled.

2004, Texas: An outbreak of a highly pathogenic form of the H5N2 virus was reported on a poultry farm in the south-central region of the state. Culling and other countermeasures were employed. No human infections were reported.

2004, Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland: The H7N2 virus was found in poultry on several farms and in live bird markets. The disease was low pathogenic and didn’t cause any lasting problems. No human infections were reported.

Asia

1997, Hong Kong: During an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza among poultry in Hong Kong, 18 people were infected and six of them died.

2003-04, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam: Several avian influenza outbreaks were reported. Over 100 million poultry died either from the disease or in culling operations. Only three human cases were discovered. It is possible that many more escaped detection.

2004-06, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia: Several serious outbreaks of a highly pathogenic form of the H5N1 virus occurred. There were 103 cases of bird flu infections reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), most of them in Vietnam where it caused 48 deaths. Despite countermeasures and culling, new outbreaks start almost every month.

Europe

1999-2001, Italy: An epidemic involving the H7N1 virus led to the destruction of more than 13 million birds.

2003, Netherlands: Several poultry in poultry farms were infected by the H7N7 virus. The virus then spread to humans and pigs. The outbreak resulted in 89 cases of bird flu in humans. Most of the symptoms were eye infections. One person out of the 89 died -- a veterinarian visiting one of the infected farms.

2005-06, Romania, Croatia, Russia, Turkey, Italy, France, Greece, and Ukraine: Several outbreaks of a highly pathogenic strain of the H5N1 virus occurred.

Africa

2006, Nigeria: Nigerian authorities say they are mounting a major effort to battle the H5N1 virus, which has been detected in two more states and has so far killed more than 100,000 birds. This is the first time the strain has been found in Africa, although no human infections have yet been reported.

In January 2006, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan delivered a video message to the International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Influenza, saying that a massive coordinated global response was needed to combat the threat of avian flu.


Pandemics since 1900

Spanish Flu 1918-19

Infected: 20 percent to 40 percent of the world's population
U.S. deaths: About 675,000
Worldwide deaths: 20 million to 50 million

Asian Flu 1957-58

Infected: Unknown
U.S. deaths: About 70,000 <
Worldwide deaths: 1 million to 2 million

Hong Kong Flu 1968-69

Infected: Unknown
U.S. deaths: About 34,000
Worldwide deaths: More than 700,000

See also

• Diagnosing and treating bird flu
• Mutation and antigenic shift
• Prevention
• Vaccinations and antivirals