Sammanfattning
Outbreaks of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, H5N1, are occurring among birds in Southeast Asia. Several countries have confirmed outbreaks, and infections of humans have occurred. The HPAI virus may adapt to human transmission by natural selection or by coinfection of humans or pigs. Partial DNA sequences suggest a significant drift from the 1997 H5N1 and the prototype vaccine. An alert from WHO has re-established global collaboration on tracking and defeating the disease. Denmark has a draft pandemic plan for influenza, and at Statens Serum Institut a diagnostic PCR typing of HA and NA from all avian influenza viruses has been developed.