#17,696
In the 32nd week, Chongqing City reported a case of human infection with H5N6 avian influenza, and Sichuan Province reported a case of human infection with H9 subtype avian influenza.
A few days later I found the following notice on the F.I.C. (Flu In China) website, which described the case as:
Week 32 of 2023, China reported a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Chongqing Municipality.
The male patient was in critical condition, had contact history of 2 dead chickens prior to the onset of the disaese, mNGS reported avian influenza(H5N6) and Aspergillus flavus in BLAF.
A week later, Hong Kong's CHP reported a different story . . . or more likely, a different case. Instead of a male in Chongqing with H5N6, they reported a female with H5N6 in Sichuan, who was reportedly infected in late July.
Today Hong Kong's CHP is reporting on a fatal H5N6 case from Chongqing, involving a a 68-year-old male who fell ill on August 5th, was hospitalized on the 10th, and died on August 20th. This appears to be the case I wrote about on August 17th.
China has a long history of strategically releasing `bad news', particularly when it comes to infectious diseases like avian flu. We often only learn of cases weeks or even months after the fact, and have no way of knowing how many cases go undetected or undisclosed.
CHP closely monitors human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) on Mainland
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 27) closely monitoring a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in the Mainland, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The case involves a 68-year-old male living in Chongqing, who had exposure to live domestic poultry before the onset of symptoms. He developed symptoms on August 5 and was admitted for treatment on August 10. He passed away on August 20.
From 2014 to date, 87 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by 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/Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Issued at HKT 17:15
Recent studies (see Study: Influenza A (H6N6) Viruses Isolated from Chickens Replicate in Mice and Human lungs Without Prior Adaptation) suggest the H5N6 virus continues to adapt to mammalian hosts. Last summer, the Lancet published Resurgence of H5N6 Avian Influenza Virus in 2021 Poses New Threat to Public Health.
While H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b gets the bulk of our attention, H5N6 continues to demonstrate its ability to spillover into humans, often producing severe or fatal illness.
Unlike it's H5N1 cousin, however, H5N6 hasn't embarked on a world tour via migratory birds. That, of course, could always change.
Which is why we monitor these sporadic human cases as best we can.
