China reports first human case of H10N3 bird flu - 2021

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.who.int/emergencies/dise...a(h10n3)-china


Human infection with avian influenza A(H10N3) – China

10 June 2021


On 31 May 2021, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China notified WHO of one confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H10N3) virus. This is the first case of human infection with avian influenza A(H10N3) virus reported globally. The case is a 41-year-old male from Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province. He developed fever and nausea on 23 April 2021 and was admitted to the intensive care unit of a local hospital on 28 April 2021. The case is currently in a stable condition. The National Influenza Center of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, completed genetic sequencing and analysis of the specimen and confirmed the detection of an influenza A(H10N3) virus of avian origin.
The case had no clear history of exposure to poultry prior to illness onset, based on epidemiological investigation. No avian influenza A(H10N3) virus has been found in the local surroundings or poultry. Close contacts of the case have not shown any symptoms. Based on the local and national assessment, the case was considered to be an incidental infection from avian to human transmission, with a low likelihood of human-to-human transmission.

Public health response

The Chinese government has taken the following monitoring, prevention and control measures:

• Further epidemiological investigation on the origin of infection of the case;
• Strengthened surveillance, including enhanced monitoring of febrile cases, and disinfection of the surrounding environment, including of the case’s residence;
• Close contact tracing and management; and
• Public risk communication activities to heighten public awareness and adoption of self-protection measures.

WHO risk assessment

This is the first human infection with avian influenza A(H10N3) to be detected. Previously, Australia and Egypt detected human infections with influenza A(H10N7), and China reported three human infections with avian influenza A(H10N8) in late 2013 and early 2014. Targeted surveillance projects have detected avian influenza A(H10N3) viruses in birds, however the extent of circulation and epidemiology of this virus in birds is unclear. Further genetic and antigenic characterization are ongoing to determine if this virus is different from previously detected avian influenza A(H10Nx) viruses.
Most previously reported human infections with avian influenza viruses were due to exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments. Since avian influenza viruses, including A(H10Nx) viruses, continue to be detected in poultry populations, further sporadic human cases could be detected in the future. Currently available epidemiologic information suggests that avian influenza A(H10Nx) viruses have not acquired the ability of sustained human-to-human transmission, thus the likelihood of spread among humans is low. Should infected individuals from affected areas travel internationally, their infection may be detected in another country during travel or after arrival. If this were to occur, further community level spread is considered unlikely. The risk assessment will be reviewed as necessary, should further epidemiological or virological information become available.



WHO advice

The detection of this case does not change current WHO recommendations on public health measures and surveillance of influenza. The public should avoid contact with high-risk environments such as live animal markets/farms and live poultry, or surfaces that might be contaminated by poultry or bird faeces. Hand hygiene with frequent washing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer is recommended. WHO does not recommend any specific measures for travelers, and advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions in relation to this event based on the currently available information.
Due to the constantly evolving nature of influenza viruses, WHO continues to stress the importance of global surveillance to detect virological, epidemiological and clinical changes associated with circulating influenza viruses that may affect human or animal health and timely virus sharing for risk assessment.
All human infections caused by a new subtype of influenza virus are notifiable under the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005). State Parties to the IHR (2005) are required to immediately notify WHO of any laboratory-confirmed case of a recent human infection caused by an influenza A virus with the potential to cause a pandemic. Evidence of illness is not required for this report. Thorough investigation of every human infection is essential.

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Jiangsu disease control authority releases H10N3 bird flu related disease prevention tips

Source: CCTV News | June 03, 2021 18:32

On June 1, the National Health Commission notified Jiangsu Province of human cases of H10N3 avian influenza, and the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Disease Control and everyone introduced some basic knowledge of avian influenza. In the past, common human infections of avian influenza were H7N9, H9N2, H5N1, and H5N6. The H10N3 avian influenza virus found this time was occasionally detected in poultry, but this is the first human infection of the H10N3 type. He has recovered and discharged after active treatment.

The main source of human infection with avian influenza is contact with live poultry carrying the virus or having been to a contaminated live poultry market. Human-to-human transmission is rare. The initial stage of infection usually manifests as flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and may be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, and diarrhea. The condition of severely ill patients develops rapidly, and the body temperature generally continues to be above 39 ℃, and severe pneumonia usually occurs within 3 to 7 days of onset.

According to the research on virus characteristics and past epidemics, the risk of large-scale transmission of H10N3 is extremely low. This case is an accident, and you do not need to be afraid or panic about it. However, this case has also sounded a wake-up call for us: At the stage when the new crown epidemic has not subsided, the threat of new respiratory infectious diseases has always existed, so here we call on everyone to do the following to actively prevent avian influenza and other Respiratory infectious diseases:

　　1. When going to crowded places, places with live poultry or wild animals, personal protection should be done, and masks should be worn standardly; hands should be washed thoroughly after contact with live poultry and other animals.

　　2. Try to avoid contact with live poultry or go to places with live poultry; purchase cold and fresh poultry that has passed quarantine in the regular market, and avoid purchasing live poultry.

　　3. Pay attention to personal protection when handling poultry, wear masks and gloves, and wash hands, chopping boards, knives and other items as soon as possible after handling.

　　4. Pay attention to the separation of raw and cooked. Poultry must be thoroughly cooked and eaten. Do not purchase, cook, or eat poultry or dead or sick poultry from unknown sources. Resolutely do not hunt, sell, or eat wild animals.

https://news.cctv.com/2021/06/03/ARTIH4XGFYcxws5T0BGW0Ck3210603.shtml

[Pathfinder]

WHO says source of infection unknown in 1st human case of H10N3 bird flu strain
...

ByMorgan Winsor
June 2, 2021, 11:07 AM

LONDON -- The World Health Organization said it's still unclear how a man in eastern China contracted the first known human case of a rare strain of bird flu called H10N3.

"The source of the patient's exposure to the H10N3 virus is not known at this time, and no other cases were found in emergency surveillance among the local population," the WHO told ABC News in a statement Wednesday.

While health officials investigate how the man was infected, the WHO said the virus doesn't appear to be spreading between people and there is currently no indication of a widespread outbreak.
...
The WHO said it was first alerted of the China case on May 31.

"This represents the first ever report to WHO of human infection with H10N3," the organization told ABC News in a statement Wednesday. "WHO, through the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) continuously monitors influenza viruses, including those with pandemic potential, and conducts risk assessments. WHO is working with the national authorities in China and GISRS partners to further assess and characterize this event."
...

https://abcnews.go.com/International/source-infection-unknown-1st-human-case-h10n3-bird/story?id=78038365

[Gert van der Hoek]

A human case of H10N3 avian influenza detected in Jiangsu Province details announced

2021-06-01 11:50 Source: National Emergency Broadcasting Network

China News Service, June 1 According to the website of the National Health Commission, the National Health Commission reported on June 1 that a human case of H10N3 avian influenza has been found in Jiangsu Province.

The patient, male, 41 years old, now lives in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu. She developed fever and other symptoms on April 23, and was admitted to a local medical institution for treatment on April 28 due to her worsening condition. At present, the patient's condition is stable and basically meets the discharge standard. On May 28th, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a whole genome sequence determination of the patient specimens sent from Jiangsu Province, and the result was positive for the H10N3 virus. Jiangsu Province conducted medical observations on all close contacts and conducted emergency monitoring in the local area, but no abnormalities were found.

The National Health Commission has instructed Jiangsu Province to carry out prevention and control in accordance with relevant plans and organized expert risk assessments. Experts assessed that the entire genetic analysis of the virus showed that the H10N3 virus is of avian origin and does not have the ability to effectively infect humans. No human cases of H10N3 have been reported globally, and the H10N3 virus among poultry is low pathogenic to poultry. The epidemic was an occasional poultry-to-human cross-species transmission, and the risk of a large-scale spread is extremely low.

Experts suggest that the public should avoid contact with sick and dead poultry in their daily lives, and try to avoid direct contact with live poultry; pay attention to dietary hygiene, improve self-protection awareness, fever and respiratory symptoms, should wear a mask and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

http://www.cneb.gov.cn/2021/06/01/ARTI1622519239453619.shtml

[Gert van der Hoek]

A 41-year-old man in China's eastern province of Jiangsu has been confirmed as the first human case of infection with the H10N3 strain of bird flu, China's National Health Commission (NHC) said on Tuesday.

The man, a resident of the city of Zhenjiang, was hospitalised on April 28 after developing a fever and other symptoms, the NHC said in a statement.

He was diagnosed as having the H10N3 avian influenza virus on May 28, it said, but did not give details on how the man had been infected with the virus.

H10N3 is a low pathogenic, or relatively less severe, strain of the virus in poultry and the risk of it spreading on a large scale was very low, the NHC added.

The man was stable and ready to be discharged from hospital. Medical observation of his close contacts had not found any other cases.

https://www.reuters.com/business/hea...lu-2021-06-01/