Marion Koopmans comments: ˜We noted an unexpectedly high number of transmissions of avian influenza A virus subtype H7N7 to people directly involved in handling infected poultry, and we noted evidence for person-to-person transmission. Our data emphasise the importance of adequate surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and pandemic planning".
In a Research letter (p 617), Malik Peiris (University of Hong Kong) and colleagues suggest that some avian influenza viruses pose a substantial threat to human health, and after the re-emergence of H5N1 disease in humans, the authors draw our attention to the need to develop a vaccine against the virus.
In a Commentary (p 582), Maria Zambon (Health Protection Agency, UK) states that influenza A transmission from animals to humans remains a rare event, but one which history teaches us we must take seriously to avoid a further pandemic of influenza like that of 1918.
Contact:
Dr Marion P G Koopmans, Laboratory for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 Bilthoven, Netherlands. T) 31-30-274-2391; F) 31-30-274-2971; E) marion.koopmans@rivm.nl
Professor JSM Peiris, Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong; T) 852-2855-4888; F) 852-2855-1241; E) malik@hkucc.hku.hk
Professor Maria C Zambon, Virus Reference Laboratory, Health Protection Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, LONDON NW9 5HT, UK; T) (HPA Press Office, Emily Collins) 44-20-8358-3002/3004; E) emily.collins@hpa.org.uk
Embargoed 0001 h (London time) 20 February 2004. In North America the embargo for Lancet press material is 6:30pm ET Thursday 19 February 2004.
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