Avian influenza outbreak investigation and containment.

Influenza A viruses cause pandemics at recurring yet unpredictable intervals. The past three pandemics had origin from birds. Although the viruses of avian influenza are not easily transmitted to humans, this may change due to either mutation or genetic reassortment. There is still an opportunity to pre-empt the pandemic. It is believed that if the surveillance system for animal health is able to detect infection in poultry quickly followed by rapid and safe culling of infected and exposed poultry and the surviellance system for human health is able to detect first human cases quickly followed by rapid containment measures including strategic use of antiviral drugs, the pandemic could be averted. This article discusses the principles and major steps of avian influenza outbreak investigations and containment.