amantadine and rimantadine The H5N1 virus that has caused human illness and death in Asia is resistant to these two antiviral medications commonly used for influenza. The medications have also caused severe adverse reactions and are not recommended for treatment.
avian influenza A (H5N1) Also called bird flu, refersto avian influenza A subtype that occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious among birds, and can be deadly to them. Infection in domestic poultry causes two main forms: (1) low pathogenic form may go undetected and usually causes mild symptoms (ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production); and (2) highly pathogenic form spreads rapidly through flocks, may affect multiple internal organs, and often has a 90–100% mortality rate within 48 hours.
H5N1 virus does not usually infect people, as few avian influenza viruses have crossed the species barrier to infect humans. Most cases resulted from people having direct or close contact with H5N1-infected poultry or H5N1-contaminated surfaces. T he viruses are constantly changing, and over time may infect and spread among humans.
clotting tube A basic sampling tube, without any additives, is used to allow a clot to form overnight.
clusters Human H5N1 cases that almost always occur among blood-related family members living in the same household, usually with 2–8 cases per cluster. Most people were infected with the H5N1 virus through direct contact with sick or dead poultry or wild birds; limited human-to-human transmission of H5N1 virus cannot be excluded in some clusters.
disposable particulate respirators Light-weight respirators that are fairly comfortable to wear. The type with exhalation valves cannot be used when working in a sterile area such as an operating room because the exhalation valve allows droplets and particles exhaled by the user to escape.
EDTA tube Used for clinical hematology and blood cell analysis.
epizootic An animal outbreak of disease.
H5N1 virus Subtype of the Influenza A virus that mostly infects birds but has caused human illness and death in Asia.
high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter A filter that is at least 99.97% efficient in removing particles of 0.3 micrometers in diameter.
highly pathogenic form Spreads rapidly through flocks of poultry. May cause disease that affects multiple internal organs; has a mortality rate that can reach 90–100%, often within 48 hours.
low pathogenic form In poultry, AI may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production).
National Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Task Force Created in May 2005 by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
oseltamivir (Tamiflu ® ) and zanamivir (Relenza ® ) Prescription antiviral medications recommended by CDC and WHO for treatment and chemoprophylaxis of human infection with avian influenza A viruses.
pandemic A worldwide outbreak of disease.
Passeriformes Called perching birds, which are the predominate type of birds at feeders (e.g., house sparrow, Eurasian tree-sparrow, house finch). Rarely associated with H5NI. Waterfowl and shore birds are traditionally associated with avian influenza viruses.
posterior-pharyngeal (throat) swabs The highest yield upper respiratory tract specimen for detecting A(H5N1).
Relenza ® See oseltamivirand zanamivir.
rimantadine See oseltamivirand zanamivir.
serum separator tube (SST) The tube contains a gel (with an intermediate density between blood cells and blood plasma) and (usually) a coagulation (clot) activator.
subtypes of influenza A viruses There are 16 known HA subtypes and 9 known NA subtypes of influenza A viruses. Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible. Each combination represents a different subtype. All known can be found in birds.
surveillance Also called detection of H5N1 influenza in the country . Follow-up messages are distributed through the Health Alert Network.
Tamiflu ® See oseltamivir (Tamiflu ® ) and zanamivir (Relenza ® ).
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) A U.S. Public Health Service Agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA’s goal is to protect and promote public health by strengthening food protection, modernizing drug safety, speeding approval of generic drugs, and improving the safety and review of medical devices.
U.S. Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Operated by the CDC, the SNS keeps large quantities of medicine and medical supplies to protect the American public in the event of a public health emergency (terrorist attack, flu outbreak, earthquake) severe enough to cause local supplies to run out.
zanamivir See oseltamivir (Tamiflu ® ) and zanamivir (Relenza ® ).
