Pandemic influenza: using evidence on vaccines and antivirals for clinical decisions and policy making

Abstract

A new influenza pandemic is inevitable. The type A H5N1 avian influenza is a potential pandemic threat. This influenza virus is currently circulating in Asia and has appeared in other regions, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa. More than 150 million birds have died from the virus or have been killed in an attempt to limit its spread. It has been transmitted from birds to humans on a limited basis. The reported human fatality rate is >50%, based on at least 91 deaths among at least 169 confirmed cases reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) since December 2003.