Between 30 October and 5 November 2020, one new case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus was reported to WHO in the Western Pacific Region. The case is a one-year old female from Saravane province, who had exposure to domestic poultry. She developed cough, fever and difficulty breathing on 13 October. On 16 October, she was hospitalised and had her sample collected. She was discharged on 19 October. All household contacts tested negative for Influenza A.
As of 5 November 2020, a total of 239 cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus were reported from four countries within the Western Pacific Region since January 2003 (Table 1). Of these cases, 134 were fatal, resulting in a case fatality rate (CFR) of 56%. The last case was reported from Lao PDR, with an onset date of 13 October 2020 (one case, no death).