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Human infection with novel H5N6 and H7N9 avian flu viruses have been greatly suppressed over the past 12 months - likely due to China's massive poultry vaccination program - which was launched last summer.
Gaps in surveillance and testing - which we've discussed before - may also contribute to these low numbers.Whatever the reasons, H5N6 and H7N9 still circulate at low levels in Chinese poultry (see China MOA: Outbreak Of HPAI H5N6 In Guangxi & H7N9 In Shaanxi from last March) and just 3 weeks ago from neighboring Vietnam (see Vietnam: Two Media Reports Of H5N6 In Poultry).
While August is the time of year we least expect to see cases, today - via Hong Kong's CHP - we are notified of China's 20th known H5N6 infection, once again from Gaungxi Province, which borders Vietnam.
CHP notified of human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Guangxi
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 20) received notification of an additional human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Guangxi from the National Health Commission, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The case involved a 42-year-old man from Laibin in Guangxi. He developed symptoms on August 10 and was hospitalised on August 15. He is now in a serious condition. The patient had contact with live poultry before the onset of symptoms.
From 2014 to date, 20 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities.
"All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong," the spokesman said.
Travellers to the Mainland or other affected areas must avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. They should be alert to the presence of backyard poultry when visiting relatives and friends. They should also avoid purchasing live or freshly slaughtered poultry, and avoid touching poultry/birds or their droppings. They should strictly observe personal and hand hygiene when visiting any place with live poultry.
Travellers returning from affected areas should consult a doctor promptly if symptoms develop, and inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment of potential diseases. It is essential to tell the doctor if they have seen any live poultry during travel, which may imply possible exposure to contaminated environments. This will enable the doctor to assess the possibility of avian influenza and arrange necessary investigations and appropriate treatment in a timely manner.
While local surveillance, prevention and control measures are in place, the CHP will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments.
The CHP's Port Health Office conducts health surveillance measures at all boundary control points. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks on inbound travellers. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up.
The display of posters and broadcasting of health messages in departure and arrival halls as health education for travellers is under way. The travel industry and other stakeholders are regularly updated on the latest information.
The public should maintain strict personal, hand, food and environmental hygiene and take heed of the advice below if handling poultry:
- Avoid touching poultry, birds, animals or their droppings;
- When buying live chickens, do not touch them and their droppings. Do not blow at their bottoms. Wash eggs with detergent if soiled with faecal matter and cook and consume the eggs immediately. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling chickens and eggs;
- Eggs should be cooked well until the white and yolk become firm. Do not eat raw eggs or dip cooked food into any sauce with raw eggs. Poultry should be cooked thoroughly. If there is pinkish juice running from the cooked poultry or the middle part of its bone is still red, the poultry should be cooked again until fully done;
- Wash hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, before handling food or eating, and after going to the toilet, touching public installations or equipment such as escalator handrails, elevator control panels or door knobs, or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing; and
- Wear a mask if fever or respiratory symptoms develop, when going to a hospital or clinic, or while taking care of patients with fever or respiratory symptoms.
The public may visit the CHP's pages for more information: the avian influenza page, the weekly Avian Influenza Report, global statistics and affected areas of avian influenza, the Facebook Page and the YouTube Channel.
Ends/Monday, August 20, 2018
Issued at HKT 12:00
Although the number of poultry outbreaks and human infections with novel flu viruses have dropped remarkably in China over the past 12 months, years following heavy avian flu activity - such as we saw in 2016-2017 - are often followed by one or more years of much lower activity.
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| Global Avian Flu Activity From ESA Report |
All of which means that no one is writing off H7N8, H5N6, or any of the other novel flu viruses circulating in the wild as a pandemic threat just yet.
