Influenza (avian and other zoonotic)

Animal influenza viruses that cross the animal–human divide to infect people are considered novel to humans and therefore have the potential to become pandemic threats. Consequently, the International Health Regulations (2005) stipulate that Member States must report any human infection with a novel influenza virus to WHO. WHO monitors these viruses and produces a monthly risk assessment at the human–animal interface.

Examples of zoonotic influenza viruses that have recently caused human infections include highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H7N9), A(H5N1), and A(H5N6); low pathogenic avian influenza A(H7N2), which was transmitted from a cat; and swine influenza A(H1N2)v and A(H3N2)v.