Avian Flu Cases in Humans Worldwide Decreased By 55 Percent From 2007 TO 2008 According to GIDEON Online

Los Angeles, Calif (PRWEB) January 9, 2009 -- Despite the recent fatal case of avian flu in Beijing, overall avian flu cases in humans worldwide have decreased 55%, from 88 to 40, from 2007 to 2008, according to GIDEON Online (www.gideononline.com/blog), the largest online database of infectious disease information for medical professionals. Human deaths from avian flu worldwide declined from 59 to 30 (49%), from 2007 to 2008.

Over the last five years (2003-2008), human avian flu cases increased 900%, from 4 to 40; and deaths increased 650%, from four to 30. A total of 391 cases and 247 deaths from avian flu were reported in humans from Nov. 26, 2003 to December 15, 2008.

Most recently, a 19-year-old Beijing woman died of bird flu, the first human case of the virus in China since February last year. In 2008, cases of avian flu in humans were reported in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia and Vietnam. Egypt reported the most cases of avian flu in humans in 2008, 22 of which 18 were fatal. Outbreaks of infection by this virus among poultry and birds was reported in 24 countries in 2008.

"Avian flu continues to be a health hazard worldwide," said Dr. Stephen Berger, cofounder of GIDEON Online, and Director of Geographic Medicine and Clinical Microbiology at the Tel Aviv Medical Center. "Sixty percent of patients have died on average of 10 days after the on set of symptoms. And, approximately 40% of patients with H5N1 infection have been under 40."

He added, "With new outbreaks of infectious diseases every day throughout the world, our easy-to-use Web-based database provides doctors with accurate and current information to better diagnose infectious diseases - and save lives."

About GIDEON Informatics:

GIDEON Informatics develops and markets point-of-care medical-decision support applications that help reduce diagnostic errors. Founded in 1992 by Uri Blackman and Stephen Berger, MD, one of the foremost experts on Infectious Disease, GIDEON Informatics is managed by an expert executive team and medical advisory board. Its comprehensive, easy-to-use, interactive Web-based infectious disease knowledge management tool helps medical personnel worldwide diagnose and treat infectious diseases, and identify microorganisms, including bioterrorism agents. GIDEON is in use by hundreds of medical institutions, universities and public health departments worldwide including Children's Hospital Oakland, World Health Organization (WHO), Center for Disease Control (CDC), Yale University, Hong Kong University and the Los Angeles County Health Department. For additional information on GIDEON Informatics, visit www.gideononline.com or call 888-664-3366.

For more media information, contact:

Lisa Hendrickson/LCH Communications

516-767-8390

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