FACTBOX-WHO figures for bird flu cases in humans

Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:21am EDT

March 18 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) have confirmed the death of an 11-year-old boy in northern Vietnam from the H5N1 bird flu virus.

The boy died last Friday at a Hanoi hospital, more than a week after he fell sick.

There have been 236 human deaths globally from the H5N1 strain and 373 confirmed cases of infection since 2003, according to WHO data.

Following is a list of confirmed human cases of H5N1. Total cases include survivors.



Deaths Total cases AZERBAIJAN 5 8 CAMBODIA 7 7 CHINA 20 30 DJIBOUTI 0 1 EGYPT 20 47 INDONESIA 105 129 IRAQ 2 3 LAOS 2 2 MYANMAR 0 1 NIGERIA 1 1 PAKISTAN 1 1 THAILAND 17 25 TURKEY 4 12 VIETNAM 52 106 ------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 236 373 -------------------------------------------------

The H5N1 virus remains mainly a bird virus. Experts are monitoring it for signs of mutation into a form easily transmitted from person to person, a development which could trigger a deadly pandemic.

So far, most human cases can be traced to direct or indirect contact with infected birds.

Initial tests usually take a day or two to confirm if someone has H5N1. More detailed testing by government laboratories or those affiliated with the WHO can take a week or more. (Writing by David Cutler and Keith Weir, London Editorial Reference Unit)



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