#18,079
Avian influenza reports out of China have become increasingly scarce, but today the ECDC is reporting on China's 90th known human H5N6 infection, and the 1st of 2024. The patient, described as a 52 year-old female living in Fujian Province, was hospitalized on April 22nd, and died 8 days later.
While I've not seen this case mentioned China's weekly influenza report, or Hong Kong's Weekly avian influenza roundup, is does appear in the latest WHO Western Pacific Regional Office Avian Influenza Weekly Update Number 947, which provides following details.
Human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus
Between 10 to 16 May 2024, one new case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus was reported to WHO in the Western Pacific Region. The case was a 52-year-old female from Fujian Province in China with the date of onset on 13 April 2024. She was admitted to the hospital on 22 April and diagnosed on 24 April. The case passed away on 30 April.
Before the onset of illness, the case had exposure to backyard poultry. All samples from close contact and environment have tested negative for influenza.
To date, a total of 91 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with influenza A(H5N6) virus, including 36 deaths (CFR 40%), have been reported to WHO in the Western Pacific Region since 2014. The last case was reported from China, with an onset date of 25 November 2023.
Today, the ECDC's Communicable disease threats report, 18-25 May 2024, week 21 carries the following report.
Avian influenza A(H5N6) – Multi-country – Monitoring human cases
Overview:
Update: A new fatal case of avian influenza A(H5N6) has been reported from Fujian Province in China. The patient was a woman in her 50s who had exposure to backyard poultry before the onset of symptoms on 13 April 2024.
On 22 April, she was hospitalised and two days later diagnosed with avian influenza A(H5N6) infection. The patient died on 30 April 2024. No new cases have been detected among close contacts of the case. Samples from close contacts, poultry and environment tested negative.
Summary: Since 2014, and as of 21 May 2024, 91 laboratory-confirmed cases, including 36 deaths (CFR: 40%), of human infection with influenza A(H5N6) virus have been reported, including six cases reported in 2023 and one case in 2024 (all from China). The cases were reported from China (90) and Laos (1).
Sources: WHO Avian influenza weekly update Number 947
ECDC assessment:
Sporadic human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been previously observed. No human-to-humantransmission has been reported to date. Sporadic zoonotic transmission cannot be excluded. The implementation of personal protective measures for people directly exposed to poultry and birds potentially infected with avian influenza viruses will minimise the remaining risk. The risk of zoonotic influenza transmission to the general public in EU/EEA countries is considered to be very low.
Actions:
ECDC monitors avian influenza strains through its epidemic intelligence and disease network activities and collaborates with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the EU reference laboratory for avian influenza to identify significant changes in the epidemiology of the virus. ECDC works with EFSA and the EU reference laboratory to produce a quarterly report on the avian influenza situation. The most recent report was published in March 2024.
Last time this event was included in the Weekly CDTR: 17 May 2024
Maps and graphs
Figure 1. Distribution of confirmed human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) virus infection by year of onset and country, 2014 - 16 May 2024 (n=91)
Getting reliable, and timely, information out of China on avian flu has always been difficult, but it has become even more challenging over the past few years. Reports to the WHO are often delayed, and contain few details.
Although the steady decline in reported H5N6 cases since 2021 may indicate fewer actual infections, it is difficult to verify, given the lack of independent reporting in that country.
