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Eastern China has long had the reputation as being the `cradle of influenza' (see Viral Reassortants: Rocking The Cradle Of Influenza), because human, avian, and swine influenza viruses circulate there more-or-less year round, population densities are very high, and because humans and farm animals often have opportunities to come into close contact with one another (i.e. wet markets, backyard poultry, etc.)China saw the rise of HPAI H5N1 in the mid-1990s, and most researchers believe that 2 of the 3 major influenza pandemics of the last century (1957's Asian Flu, 1968's Hong Kong Flu) originated from that region (not to mentions SARS & SARS-CoV-2 in the 21st century).
Over the past decade the number of novel flu viruses coming out of China has accelerated, with H7N9 emerging in 2013 and sparking 5 years of human epidemics. H10N8 briefly emerged the same year, infecting at least 3 people.
In 2014, two more avian flu viruses - H5N6 and H5N8 - emerged, and while both are now considered zoonotic threats, H5N6 has been the biggest threat to humans so far.
In 2018 an avian H7N4 infected a woman in Jiangsu Province, and last year we saw the first known human infection with H10N3 (again in Jiangsu). While underreported, we also know of scores of H9N2 infections in China.
The list goes on, and includes one of the most worrisome swine flu viruses (see CDC Selects New Swine-Variant EA H1N1 Virus For The Top Of Their IRAT List) in the world today, along with a number of lesser threats (see Emerg. Microbes & Inf.: Characterization of Swine-origin H1N1 Canine Influenza Viruses).
Despite this rampant novel flu activity, we get relatively little news on outbreaks - in wildlife or in poultry - from China. China's Ministry of Agriculture Epidemic Website lists only 2 outbreaks in wild birds (below), and ZERO poultry outbreaks, over the past 7 months.
This lack of reported outbreaks in poultry is all the more remarkable given the avian epizootics reported by South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and nearly all of Europe. Additionally, China's roughly 3 dozen human infections with H5N6, and roughly 2 dozen H9N2 cases over the past 12 months, all are presumably the result of close contact with infected poultry.
While it is true we get detailed - and often excellent - scientific reports out of China, they are often published months, or even years, after the fact.
Historically, Hong Kong has provided us with a window into what is happening on the Mainland, but that seems to happen with less regularity today.
They do, however, continue to update the world on infectious disease happenings in the SAR, and today they report the confirmation of HPAI H5N1 in the carcass of a wild Curlew, recovered in the Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR).
Eurasian Curlew carcass tests positive for H5N1 virus
A carcass of a Eurasian Curlew found in the Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR) was confirmed to be positive for the H5N1 avian influenza (AI) virus after laboratory testing, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 26).
The bird carcass was found and collected earlier at a gei wai in the MPNR and preliminarily tested positive for H5 AI virus on January 24. The Eurasian Curlew is a winter visitor mainly found in the intertidal area of Deep Bay area, including Mai Po.
The spokesman said cleaning and disinfection of visitor facilities including bird hides and boardwalk has been stepped up. Disinfectant carpet has been placed at the entrance of the MPNR for visitors to disinfect the soles of their shoes. In addition, the AFCD is closely monitoring the situation of the birds in the MPNR and has put up notices to remind visitors to pay attention to personal hygiene.
There are no chicken farms within three kilometres of where the dead bird was found. Since the beginning of winter, the AFCD has strengthened AI surveillance and closely monitored the situation of the local poultry farms and the wholesale market. Poultry farmers, pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons are reminded from time to time to ensure that proper precautions against AI have been implemented.
The spokesman said that the department will closely monitor poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against AI have been taken and will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance.
"People should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. The public can call 1823 for AFCD's follow-up if they come across suspicious, sick or dead birds, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will continue to be vigilant over live poultry stalls. It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene.
The Department of Health will keep up its health education to remind the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent AI.
The AFCD, the FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will strive to deter the illegal import of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of AI outbreaks caused by imported poultry and birds that have not gone through inspection and quarantine.
All relevant government departments will continue to be highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against AI.
Health advice about preventing AI is available from the "H5N1 Health Advice" page on the AFCD website at www.afcd.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:23
