Avian influenza

Introduction

In 1997 and again since 2003, there has been concern about the H5N1 avian influenza virus becoming adapted to humans and causing a pandemic (a global epidemic). The H5N1 virus continues to circulate causing outbreaks in birds and occasional human infections.

In the midst of ongoing concerns about H5N1 adapting to humans and causing a pandemic, a new influenza virus (H1N1) has emerged from the Americas. As a result of ongoing spread of the new virus from person-to-person in more than 70 countries, WHO has declared Phase 6 - the start ofraised the pandemic. It is also worth remembering that H5N1 continues to circulate widely in birds, and if it adapts to humans it could also cause a pandemic.

UNICEF’s actions are part of a coherent UN system response. What we do is guided by the technical agencies for animal and human health — the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the UN System Influenza Coordinator (UNSIC). UNICEF is focusing on communication and other supportive measures that inform educate and enable families and communities to protect themselves from illness and death caused by avian influenza or its consequences.

Online Resource Centre

Avian and Pandemic Influenza Communication Resources