Human case of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) in Lao People’s Democratic of the Congo

The Ministry of Health in Lao People’s Democratic Republic reported a human case of infection with avian influenza A in a one-year-old female who developed fever, cough, difficulty breathing and runny nose. She was hospitalized and as part of severe acute respiratory infection sentinel surveillance, specimens were collected to confirm that she indeed had contract avian influenza by RT-PCR. One of the child’s contacts also developed fever and cough, but they were negative for influenza A, as were all other household contacts. 

There were domestic poultry at the residence but no travel history 14 days prior to symptom onset in the case. This marks the third human case of avian influenza A virus reported from Lao PDR since 2005.

The government of Lao PDR has taken several monitoring, prevention and control measures as described in the Joint National Preparedness and Contingency Plan for Avian Influenza A (H7N9) and A(H5N1) for Lao PDR: 

Figure 1: Measures taken by government of Lao PDR per the WHO

According to the World Health Organization, 862 cases of influenza A (H5N1) have been reported to WHO since 2003, including three from Lao PDR. Most cases have been associated with close contact with infected live or dead birds. Infection with the virus is associated with severe disease and a high mortality rate. 

Current evidence fortunately suggests that A(H5N1) viruses have not acquired the ability of sustained transmission among humans, so the likelihood of human-to-human transmission and spread is low. However, due to the consistently evolving nature of influenza, WHO continues to stress the importance of “global surveillance to detect virologic, epidemiologic and clinical changes associated with circulating influenza viruses that may affect human (or animal) health with timely sharing of such viruses and related information for further characterization and risk assessment.”

All human infections caused by novel influenza subtype are notifiable under International Health Regulations and all state parties to the IHR are required to report any laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection caused by influenza A virus to the WHO. Upon confirmation of human infection caused by a novel influenza virus with pandemic potential, a epidemiological investigation must be undertaken to examine history of exposure to animals, travel, and contact tracing must be conducted. 

Reference:

“Avian Influenza A(H5N1)- Lao People's Democratic Republic.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 17 Nov. 2020, www.who.int/csr/don/17-november-2020-ah5n1-lao/en/. 

- Claire Hillier