Highly pathogenic avian influenza: Multi-disciplinary and collaborative research to minimise the impacts on the poor

The emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and the threat of a global human pandemic have been issues of great concern to the international community in recent years. The problem is compounded by uncertainty regarding the timing, extent and severity of HPAI, and the risk of human infection. The global response has been extensive, with billions of dollars pledged (and diverted from other uses) for efforts to control and prevent the influenza. Even though HPAI is a global phenomenon, developing countries in Africa and Asia have had the most difficulty containing the disease. Between 2003 and 2008, 47 countries had reported HPAI in their domestic poultry. Those currently considered endemic are Egypt, Indonesia and Nigeria, while others such as Bangladesh, China, Thailand and Vietnam have had repeated outbreaks. Eight countries have reported human cases, and all but one of those have reported human fatalities.