1) Suspected Case:
Any person could be said to be a suspected bird flu case in case of suffering from a severe unexplained disorder in the lower respiratory tract, along with high temperature (more than 38° C, cough, and difficulty in breathing.
That is to be added to one or more of these factors during the week preceding infection.
- Being in direct contact (within one meter) with a suspected, potential or confirmed bird flu case (through touching, talking to, or looking after the case).
- Being in contact with poultry or wild birds, as well as the remnants of birds or any environment contaminated with the secretions of birds in a place suspected to contain any suspected or confirmed H5N1 cases, in birds or humans.
- Dealing with blood samples suspected to be infected with H5N1 (of humans or animals) in laboratories or the places dedicated to the preparation of blood samples for laboratory testing.
- Consuming (eating) uncooked chicken products in a place suspected to have suspected or confirmed H5N1 infections (in humans or animals) during the month preceding the infection.
- Being in direct contact with confirmed H5N1 cases, in any animals other than poultry (e.g. cats).
2) Potential Case:
Potential Case (A):
A person is said to be a bird flu potential case in case of the occurrence of symptoms of the suspected case, in addition to:
- The existence of a radiological incidence (of the chest) of a severe pneumonia, along with respiratory failure.
OR:
- The existence of influenza A infection, confirmed by laboratory testing, without enough evidence of H5N1 infection.
Suspected Case (B):
The suspected case (B) dies of an unidentified severe respiratory disease, related (in terms of time and place) with the existence of a potential or confirmed H5N1 infection.
3) Confirmed Case:
A person is said to be a bird flu confirmed case in case the realization of one or more of the features of suspected or potential cases, in addition to the positivity of one of the following laboratory tests:
- Analysis of H5N1 virus strain.
- Positivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the virus, by using two different parts of the genetic makeup of the bird flu virus (i.e. reagent to detect the influenza A virus, and the virus strain [H5NA]).
- Increase of neutralizing antibodies by 4 times or more as the avian influenza virus (H5N1) when examining a serum specimen during the period of severe infection (1-7 days) of the incidence of the symptoms, and another specimen during the recovery period, and comparing between the two readings.