China Reports First Human Infection With H3N8 Strain Of Bird Flu, Says Risk Of Large-Scale Epidemic Is Low

The first human infection with the H3N8 strain of bird flu has been reported in China, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China said on Tuesday, April 26.

New Delhi: The first human infection with the H3N8 strain of bird flu has been reported in China, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China said on Tuesday, April 26.

However, the outbreak is an occasional bird-to-human cross-species transmission, and the risk of a large-scale epidemic is low, the country’s health authority said in a statement.

The case was reported in China’s Henan Province on Tuesday. 

Who Is The Patient Infected With The H3N8 Strain?

The patient is a four-year-old boy who raises chickens and wild ducks at home, according to the statement. The boy developed fever and other symptoms on April 5, following which he was admitted to a local medical institution since his condition aggravated.

On April 24, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a test on the patient’s specimen which was sent from Henan Province. The results showed that the boy was positive for the H3N8 avian influenza virus, the statement said.

Henan Province also conducted sampling tests on the close contacts of the patient. According to the National Health Commission, no abnormality was found in them.

China’s health authority has instructed Henan Province to conduct prevention and control through relevant plans, and has organised experts to carry out risk assessments.

The National Health Commission said in the statement that an initial assessment determined the H3N8 avian influenza virus is of avian origin, and did not yet have the ability to effectively infect humans.

The virus has been detected in horses, dogs, birds and seals worldwide , but no human cases of H3N8 were reported before April 26, 2022. 

According to experts, the public should avoid contact with sick and dead poultry, and also live poultry, the statement said.

The public should also maintain dietary hygiene, separate raw and cooked food during food processing, and raise awareness of self-protection.

Those with fever and respiratory symptoms should wear a mask and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Usually, the people working in close contact with poultry are infected with the different strains of bird flu present in China.

In 2021, the country reported the first human case of H10N3 bird flu.