The Chinese National Health Commission reported on an additional human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Jiangsu. This brings the total cases to 23 in China since 2014.
The case involved a 10-year-old girl from Suzhou in Jiangsu. She developed symptoms on October 29 and was hospitalized on November 3. She is now in a serious condition.
Avian influenza is caused by those influenza viruses that mainly affect birds and poultry, such as chickens or ducks.
Clinical presentation of avian influenza in humans includes eye infection (conjunctivitis), flu-like symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches) or severe respiratory illness (e.g. chest infection). The incubation period ranges from 7 to 10 days.
The more virulent forms can result in respiratory failure, multi-organ failure and even death. People mainly become infected with avian influenza virus through contact with infected birds and poultry (live or dead) or their droppings, or contact with contaminated environments (such as wet markets and live poultry markets). Human-to-human transmission is inefficient.
Echo Devices Black Friday Deals
People in close contact with poultry are more susceptible to contracting avian influenza. The elderly, children and people with chronic illness have a higher risk of developing complications such as bronchitis and chest infection.
Get Started on the #1 Trusted Dating Site!
- Brazil: 36K chickungunya cases reported in Rio state this year
- Portugal: Measles cases rise in Lisbon area
- North Carolina officials investigate Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at Cherokee casino
- Medical history: 1918 influenza pandemic, Yellow fever in the US in the 18th and 19th centuries
- Dengue in the Americas: Increase in cases reported in some countries
- Norovirus outbreak reported on Holland America’s ‘Volendam’
- Bird flu: Griffith researchers closer to understanding how virus takes hold in humans
