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H7N7 is a subtype of Influenzavirus A, a genus of Orthomyxovirus, the viruses responsible for influenza. Highly pathogenic strains (HPAI) and low pathogenic strains (LPAI) exist. H7N7 can infect humans, birds, pigs, seals, and horses in the wild; and has infected mice in laboratory studies. This unusual zoonotic potential represents a pandemic threat.
In 2003 in the Netherlands 89 people were confirmed to have the H7N7 influenza virus infection following an outbreak in poultry on several farms. One death was recorded.[1] Antibodies were found in over half of 500 people tested according to the final official report by the Dutch government:
In August 2006, low pathogenic (LP) H7N7 was found during routine testing at a poultry farm in Voorthuizen in the central Netherlands. As a precautionary measure, 25,000 chickens were culled from Voorthuizen and surrounding farms.[4]
In June 2008, high pathogenic (HP) H7N7 was confirmed on a 25,000-bird laying unit at Shenington, England; probably derived from a pre-existing low pathogenic variety. "Increased mortality (2.5 per cent in one shed) and a drop in egg production had been recorded two weeks before birds started dying in large numbers on June 2, leading to the diagnosis of HP H7N7 on June 4."[5]
In October 2009, high pathogenic (HP) H7N7 was confirmed on a farm in Almoguera, Guadalajara, Spain. Hong Kong announced that it would suspend the import of poultry from Spain.[6]
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