Human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) reported in Hunan child

The Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission has reported on an additional human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Hunan.

The case involves an 11-year-old girl who lives in Zhuzhou, Hunan.  With history of poultry contact before onset, the patient developed fever on April 11 and was admitted to a local hospital the next day. She is now in stable condition.

From 2014 to date, a total of 12 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities.

Avian influenza (AI) is caused by those influenza viruses that mainly affect birds and poultry, such as chickens or ducks. These AI viruses are distinct from human seasonal influenza viruses. Since the AI viruses does not commonly infect human, there is little or no immune protection against them in the human population. People mainly become infected with AI through direct contact with infected birds and poultry (live or dead), their droppings or contaminated environments.

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