H5N1 Influenza Viruses in Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Abstract

A prospective surveillance program for influenza viruses was established in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) in July of 2005. We report isolation of H5N1 virus genetically distinct from H5N1 circulating in 2004, which indicates reintroduction of H5N1 into Lao PDR after its disappearance (i.e., no virologic or serologic evidence) for 2 years.

Keywords

• Lao PDR
• H5N1
• Surveillance
• Serology
• Duck
• dispatch