Differences in the Epidemiology of Human Cases of Avian Influenza A(H7N9) and A(H5N1) Viruses Infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The pandemic potential of avian influenza viruses A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) remains an unresolved but critically important question.

Methods

We compared the characteristics of sporadic and clustered cases of human H5N1 and H7N9 infection, estimated the relative risk of infection in blood-related contacts, and the reproduction number (R).

Results

We assembled and analyzed data on 720 H5N1 cases and 460 H7N9 cases up to 2 November 2014. The severity and average age of sporadic/index cases of H7N9 was greater than secondary cases (71% requiring intensive care unit admission vs 33%, P = .007; median age 59 years vs 31, P < .001). We observed no significant differences in the age and severity between sporadic/index and secondary H5N1 cases. The upper limit of the 95%

SUBMITTER: Qin Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4542598 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature