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A LOOK BACK AT 2007
In recent years, Indonesia has been the center of the avian flu epidemic. This was consistent throughout 2007, with 42 reported cases and 37 subsequent deaths. The second most affected country was Egypt, with a total of 23 cases and six deaths.
Reflecting on developments in 2007, Dr. Walter “Ben” Koppel, MEDEX Medical Director, states, “We have been fortunate that the avian flu has been in the background, as opposed to mutating and becoming more pathogenic to humans. The world pattern of dispersal through fowl has shown us that it is hard to predict where the disease is likely to strike next. We can only try to mitigate the interspecies transmission to humans.”
Noteworthy events that occurred during 2007 include:
January 2007 –
- - Nigeria confirms its first human case and casualty.
February 2007 –
- - Lao People’s Democratic Republic confirms its first human case and casualty.
- - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases a report informing travelers about the risks of avian flu. In this report, they recommend knowing the threats as they pertain to your specific destination, staying up-to-date on your vaccinations, including the seasonal flu vaccine, traveling with a medical kit, knowing the in-country resources available to you, and checking coverage with your health insurance before you depart.*
April 2007 –
- The Food and Drug Administration approves the first avian flu vaccine for humans available in the United States. Since humans have little immunity to the virus, a vaccine could be crucial in saving lives should a pandemic occur. The vaccine was developed by sanofi pasteur, Inc, and is not available commercially. Rather, it is being stockpiled by the federal government for distribution when and if it is necessary. In December 2007, Time Magazine cited the approval of this vaccine as the top medical development of the year.
June 2007 –
- - Vietnam confirms its first human case and casualty since 2005.
December 2007 –
- - Myanmar confirms its first human case and casualty.
- - Pakistan confirms its first human case and casualty.
- - The Director of the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organization, Jacque Diouf, addresses the International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza in New Delhi, India. In this speech, Diouf warns that “the spread of avian influenza typifies the potential emergence of major health crises with an increased risk of pathogens traveling over large distances in very short time periods, favored by globalization and climate change.” He urges countries to be vigilant and develop prevention and control programs in order to contain and eradicate the disease. Read more about his speech and this conference.
* Medical kits, information on medical resources and international medical insurance are all available through MEDEX. Simply visit www.medexassist.com for further details. |
