Human influenza virus A/HongKong/156/97 (H5N1) infection

Introduction of influenza viruses with gene segments of avian origin into the human population may result in the emergence of Mew pathogenic human influenza viruses. The recent infection of a 3-year-old boy with an influenza A (H5N1) virus of avian origin can be considered as an example of such an event. However; this virus, influenza A/Hong Kong/156/97 (H5N1) and the 17 additional H5N1 viruses isolated from humans hy the end of 1997 lack the ability to spread efficiently amongst humans and therefore have limited pandemic potential. However; the possibility of reassortment of these viruses with currently circulating human viruses illustrates the need for pandemic preparedness. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.