By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Between 27 March and 2 April 2020, one new case of human infection with avian influenza A(H9N2) virus was reported to WHO in the Western Pacific Region.

Image/Robert Herriman

The case is a 3-year-old female from Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China, who had a history of environmental exposure to domestic poultry before onset of symptom. She had mild illness and no symptoms have been detected in her contacts.

In 2020, there are three cases reported so far, two from China and one from India. A total of 30 cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H9N2) in China have been reported since December 2015.

In most human cases of H9N2 avian flu, the associated disease symptoms have been mild and there has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission. Influenza A(H9N2) viruses are enzootic in poultry populations in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Most human cases are exposed to the A(H9N2) virus through contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments. Human infection tends to result in mild clinical illness. Since the virus continues to be detected in poultry populations, further human cases can be expected.