#16,004
Our uptick in recent novel flu infections (see here, here, here, here, here, and here) continues today with a report from Hong Kong's CHP on an H5N6 infection in Sichuan Province. As if often the case - particularly from China - we are hearing about this case somewhat belatedly; more than a month after the patient fell ill and was hospitalized.
Unlike the novel swine variant, and recent H10N3 and H5N8 human infections - which have been mostly mild - avian H5N6 tends to make humans severely ill, and death has been reported in roughly half of the 31 cases to date.
Today's case is the 3rd reported by China in 2021, and comes on the heels of 3 cases reported in December of last year. First the Hong Kong Statement, then I'll return with a postscript.
CHP closely monitors human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Chengdu
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (June 8) closely monitoring a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The case involved a 49-year-old woman living in Chengdu. She developed symptoms on May 1, and was admitted for treatment on the same day. The patient is now in serious condition.
From 2014 to date, 31 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," a spokesman for the CHP 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 public should maintain strict personal, hand, food and environmental hygiene and take heed of the advice below when handling poultry: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.
- 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.
Ends/Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:45
Last February, in China's Recent Resurgence Of Human HPAI H5N6 Infections, we looked at the recent uptick in HPAI H5 outbreaks in birds and poultry - and its occasional jumps to humans - which began in early 2020. After 3 years of relative quiescence, avian flu appears firmly on the ascendant.
Unfortunately, surveillance and reporting is less than optimal even when we aren't in a pandemic, but is undoubtedly even less robust today. In too many ways, we are still Flying Blind In the Age Of Pandemics & Emerging Infectious Diseases.
While most of these viruses with modest zoonotic abilities will never rise to the level of a global health threat, it only takes one overachiever send the world back into a global emergency. And our history with pandemics has been, we never see it coming until it is too late.
