Avian human influenza : diagnosis, case management and treatment

The H5N1 influenza virus infected human in 1997 for the first time in Hong Kong leading to development of influenza like symptoms. Its incubation period is 8-17 days. Cases of influenza can be confirmed with possible viral culture for H5N1 or positive PCR for H5N1 or positive IFA test using monoclonal antibodies against H5N1 or a four-fold rise in H5N1 specific antibody titre. The plain x-ray chest may show patchy opacities involving at least two zones, lobar consolidation with air and ultimately rapidly evolving ground glass appearance may occur. WHO recommends use of oseltamivir for case management. Public health measures include to report all suspected cases of influenza and to identify all cases might have been exposed to common source of infection and they should be monitored for 7 days.