This epidemiological bulletin aims to provide the situation of key infectious diseases in the WHO South-East Asia region to inform risk assessments and responses. The bulletin uses information from publicly available sources and will be published every two weeks. For feedback or suggestions, please write to seoutbreak@who.int.
Key events and updates
Joint FAO/WHO/WOAH preliminary assessment of recent influenza A(H5N1) viruses
26 April 2024
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Since the beginning of 2021, 28 detections of A(H5N1) in humans have been reported to WHO, including a case who had exposure to dairy cattle in the United States of America presumed to be infected with A(H5N1) virus.
Among these cases, there has been no reported human-to-human transmission. Of the human cases, where the haemagglutinin (HA) H5 clade is known, 13 have been caused by clade 2.3.4.4b viruses. -
Investigations are ongoing to understand the risk to humans from consuming milk contaminated with A(H5N1) virus. It is important for people to continue to follow safe food practices. Many dangerous zoonotic pathogens can be transmitted through unpasteurized milk, and FAO and WHO strongly advise the consumption of only pasteurized milk and to avoid consuming raw milk.
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At the present time, based on available information, WHO assesses the overall public health risk posed by A(H5N1) to be low, and for those with exposure to infected birds or animals or contaminated environments, the risk of infection is considered low-to-moderate. This risk requires close monitoring and WHO and partners will continue to regularly assess and publish public health risk assessments for avian influenza.
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More information will be available in the coming days and weeks as investigations are actively ongoing in the United States and elsewhere. WHO and GISRS, jointly with FAO, WOAH and OFFLU (Joint WOAH-FAO Scientific Network on Animal Influenza) are working closely together to continuously assess the avian influenza situation.
Updates on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza by United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA)
26 April 2024
- Initial results received by the US FDA show about 1 in 5 of the retail samples tested are quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-positive for HPAI viral fragments, with a greater proportion of positive results coming from milk in areas with infected herds. However, qPCR-positive results do not necessarily represent actual virus that may be a risk to consumers.