Avian influenza H5N1 transmission in households, Indonesia.

Background: Disease transmission patterns are needed to inform public health interventions, but remain largely unknown for avian influenza H5N1 virus infections. A recent study on the 139 outbreaks detected in Indonesia between 2005 and 2009 found that the type of exposure to sources of H5N1 virus for both the index case and their household members impacted the risk of additional cases in the household. This study describes the disease transmission patterns in those outbreak households.

Risk factors for cluster outbreaks of avian influenza A H5N1 infection, Indonesia.

Background: By 30 July 2009, Indonesia had reported 139 outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) H5N1 infection in humans. Risk factors for case clustering remain largely unknown. This study assesses risk factors for cluster outbreaks and for secondary case infection.

Rabies awareness in eight Asian countries.

Rabies is a deadly zoonotic disease most often transmitted to humans through a dog bite. Human mortality from endemic canine rabies is estimated by WHO to be around 55,000 deaths annually, with over 31,000 deaths in Asia alone, mostly children. Most of these deaths could be prevented through post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), including immediate wound washing, rabies immunoglobulin administration and vaccination.

Factors associated with case fatality of human H5N1 virus infections in Indonesia: a case series.

Background: Indonesia has had the most human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) and one of the highest case-fatality rates worldwide. We described the factors associated with H5N1 case-fatality in Indonesia.

Methods: Between June, 2005, and February, 2008, there were 127 confirmed H5N1 infections.

Three Indonesian clusters of H5N1 virus infection in 2005.

Background: Since 2003, the widespread ongoing epizootic of avian influenza A (H5N1) among poultry and birds has resulted in human H5N1 cases in 10 countries. The first case of H5N1 virus infection in Indonesia was identified in July 2005.

Methods: We investigated three clusters of Indonesian cases with at least two ill persons hospitalized with laboratory evidence of H5N1 virus infection from June through October 2005.