H5N1 avian influenza virus: human cases reported in southern China

Two cases of confirmed influenza due to the avian influenza A H5N1 virus were reported last week in Hong Kong (1). The cases occurred in a Hong Kong family who had recently visited Fujian province in southern China. The daughter, aged 8 years, died following a respiratory illness. The cause of her death is unknown. The father and son also had respiratory illnesses; the father died and the son recovered. Both were infected with the H5N1 virus. The mother also had a respiratory illness, which is reported to have been unrelated to influenza infection. Investigations are continuing to determine where and how transmission of infection to the cases may have occurred.