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ADB Updates on Avian Flu Crisis

Impact on Bird Populations

Since 2003, avian flu has been found in the bird populations of more than 60 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Hundreds of millions of poultry have been killed either directly by the disease, or by authorities culling to prevent the further spread. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates losses in the poultry sector at more than $10 billion since 2003. This has had a severe impact on the rural poor, who keep backyard poultry to supplement their income, and to provide food security.

Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Flu

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),* as of 9 December 2008, 246 people have died out of 389 people infected in 15 of the countries affected.

An ADB study has estimated that an influenza pandemic could lead to 3 million deaths in Asia. It would also reduce economic growth and hamper efforts to reduce poverty.


Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO
9 December 2008

Country
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Cambodia
China
Djibouti
Egypt
Indonesia
Iraq
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Myanmar
Nigeria
Pakistan
Thailand
Turkey
Viet Nam
Total
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Total
Cases Deaths Cases Deaths Cases Deaths Cases Deaths Cases Deaths Cases Deaths Cases Deaths
0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 0 0 0 0 8 5
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 4 4 2 2 1 1 0 0 7 7
1 1 0 0 8 5 13 8 5 3 3 3 30 20
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 18 10 25 9 7 3 50 22
0 0 0 0 20 13 55 45 42 37 22 18 139 113
0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 3 2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 3 1
0 0 17 12 5 2 3 3 0 0 0 0 25 17
0 0 0 0 0 0 12 4 0 0 0 0 12 4
3 3 29 20 61 19 0 0 8 2 2 2 106 52
4 4 46 32 98 43 115 79 88 59 38 29 389 246

Total number of cases includes number of deaths.
WHO reports only laboratory-confirmed cases.
All dates refer to onset of illness.


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