H5N1

CHP closely monitors human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) on Mainland

Via the Centre for Health Protection: CHP closely monitors human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) on Mainland. Excerpt:

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 16) closely monitoring a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) on the Mainland, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.        

The case involves a 59-year-old female living in Ziyang City in Sichuan Province, who had visited a live poultry market before the onset of symptoms. She developed symptoms on November 25 last year and was admitted for treatment on November 29 with serious condition.  

From 2014 to date, 89 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by Mainland health authorities.        

"All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong," a spokesman for the CHP said.

CHP closely monitors human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) on Mainland

Thanks to Mike Coston and FluTrackers for alerting me to this report from the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection: CHP closely monitors human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) on Mainland. Excerpt:

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 22) closely monitoring a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) on the Mainland, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.      

The case involves a 33-year-old female living in Bazhong City in Sichuan Province, who had visited a live poultry market before the onset of symptoms. She developed symptoms on October 20 and was admitted for treatment on October 22. She passed away on November 14.      

From 2014 to date, 88 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by Mainland health authorities.      

"All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong," a spokesman for the CHP said.

CHP closely monitors human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) on Mainland

Thanks to FluTrackers for alerting me to this report from the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection: CHP closely monitors human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) on Mainland. Excerpt:

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 27) closely monitoring a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in the Mainland, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.        

The case involves a 68-year-old male living in Chongqing, who had exposure to live domestic poultry before the onset of symptoms. He developed symptoms on August 5 and was admitted for treatment on August 10. He passed away on August 20.        

From 2014 to date, 87 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by Mainland health authorities.        

"All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong," a spokesman for the CHP said.        

Travellers to the Mainland or other affected areas must avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. They should be alert to the presence of backyard poultry when visiting relatives and friends. They should also avoid purchasing live or freshly slaughtered poultry, and avoid touching poultry/birds or their droppings. They should strictly observe personal and hand hygiene when visiting any place with live poultry.        

Travellers returning from affected areas should consult a doctor promptly if symptoms develop, and inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment of potential diseases. It is essential to tell the doctor if they have seen any live poultry during travel, which may imply possible exposure to contaminated environments. This will enable the doctor to assess the possibility of avian influenza and arrange necessary investigations and appropriate treatment in a timely manner.

CHP closely monitors human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Mainland

Thanks to FluTrackers for alerting me to this report from the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection: CHP closely monitors human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Mainland. Excerpt:

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 5) closely monitoring a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in the Mainland, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.        

The case involves a 54-year-old female living in Nanchong, Sichuan, who had exposure to live domestic poultry before the onset of symptoms. She developed symptoms on May 19 and was admitted for treatment on the same day. She is in serious condition.        

From 2014 to date, 84 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by Mainland health authorities.        

"All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong," a spokesman for the CHP said.      

Travellers to the Mainland or other affected areas must avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. They should be alert to the presence of backyard poultry when visiting relatives and friends. They should also avoid purchasing live or freshly slaughtered poultry, and avoid touching poultry/birds or their droppings. They should strictly observe personal and hand hygiene when visiting any place with live poultry.      

Travellers returning from affected areas should consult a doctor promptly if symptoms develop, and inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment of potential diseases. It is essential to tell the doctor if they have seen any live poultry during travel, which may imply possible exposure to contaminated environments. This will enable the doctor to assess the possibility of avian influenza and arrange necessary investigations and appropriate treatment in a timely manner.

Chinese woman dies from H5N6 strain of bird flu

Via Reuters: Chinese woman dies from H5N6 strain of bird flu.

BEIJING, Dec 9 (Reuters) - A woman in China's Sichuan province died from the H5N6 strain of avian influenza last month, a regional health bureau said this week, in the latest human fatality from the lethal disease.  

The 54-year-old woman from Zigong city developed symptoms on Nov. 17 and was admitted to hospital on Nov. 21. She died on Nov. 23, according to a Wednesday statement on the website of the health bureau of semi-autonomous region Macau.

She had been exposed to dead poultry before the onset of illness, it added.  

The number of people in China infected with H5N6 bird flu this year has jumped, raising concern among experts, who say a previously circulating strain appears to have changed and may be more infectious to people.

Avian influenza A viruses among occupationally exposed populations, China, 2014–2016

Via Emerging Infectious Diseases: Avian Influenza A Viruses among Occupationally Exposed Populations, China, 2014–2016. The abstract:

To determine the seroprevalence and seroconversion of avian influenza virus (AIV) antibodies in poultry workers, we conducted a seroepidemiologic study in 7 areas of China during December 2014–April 2016. We used viral isolation and reverse transcription PCR to detect AIVs in specimens from live poultry markets. 

We analyzed 2,124 serum samples obtained from 1,407 poultry workers by using hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization assays. We noted seroprevalence of AIV antibodies for subtypes H9N2, H7N9, H6N1, H5N1-SC29, H5N6, H5N1-SH199, and H6N6. In serum from participants with longitudinal samples, we noted seroconversion, with >4-fold rise in titers, for H9N2, H7N9, H6N1, H5N1-SC29, H6N6, H5N6, and H5N1-SH199 subtypes. We found no evidence of H10N8 subtype. 

The distribution of AIV antibodies provided evidence of asymptomatic infection. We found that AIV antibody prevalence in live poultry markets correlated with increased risk for H7N9 and H9N2 infection among poultry workers.

H5N1, H5N6 bird flu hits Vietnamese province

Via English.news.cn, a Xinhua report: Bird flu hits Vietnamese province.

HO CHI MINH CITY, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's southern Ben Tre province has seen the first outbreak of A/H5N6 bird flu which has led to the culling of 1,000 chickens. 

The outbreak was spotted in Mo Cay Nam district, and then tests confirmed that the flock of fowls raised by a household were infected with the bird flu virus, Vietnam News Agency on Sunday quoted the provincial Department of Livestock and Animal Health as saying. 

Relevant local agencies have culled the chickens, disinfected surrounding areas and intensified vaccination among fowls in the province. 

In late July, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that outbreaks of A/H5N6 and A/H5N1 bird flu had been reported in 13 communes of 11 localities from the start of 2019, leading to the culling of more than 23,000 poultry. 

The bird flu is forecast to widely spread in the remaining months of this year due to changing weather and surging poultry transportation ahead of the lunar new year holiday. 

Vietnam first detected bird flu virus strain of A/H5N1 in December 2003 on both humans and fowls. More than 45 million poultry in Vietnam were culled between 2003 and 2006. Since then, hundreds of thousands of fowls have been killed each year.  

In the 2004-2014 period, 127 people in Vietnam were infected with H5N1, including 64 fatalities, according to the ministry. The country has detected no new human cases of H5N1 infection since 2014.

Hong Kong: CHP notified of human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Beijing

Via the Centre for Health Protection: CHP notified of human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Beijing. Excerpt:

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 19) received notification of an additional human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Beijing from the National Health Commission, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.        

The case involved a 59-year-old female from Beijing. She was hospitalised on August 11. She is now in a critical condition.        

From 2014 to date, 24 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities.        

"All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong," the spokesman said.        

Travellers to the Mainland or other affected areas must avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. They should be alert to the presence of backyard poultry when visiting relatives and friends. They should also avoid purchasing live or freshly slaughtered poultry, and avoid touching poultry/birds or their droppings. They should strictly observe personal and hand hygiene when visiting any place with live poultry.

H5N1 bird flu hits another Vietnamese locality

Via Xinhua: Bird flu hits another Vietnamese locality.

Vietnam's southern Can Tho city has seen the first outbreak of A/H5N1 bird flu which has led to the culling of 1,500 chickens, Vietnam News Agency reported on Wednesday.  

The outbreak was spotted in Binh Thuy district with 955 chickens raised by a household dying. Tests confirmed that the flock of fowls were infected with the bird flu virus, forcing relevant local agencies to cull another 545 chickens.  

Notably, the chickens were vaccinated against H5N1 in June, the agency quoted the municipal Department of Livestock and Animal Health as reporting.

In late July, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that outbreaks of A/H5N6 and A/H5N1 bird flu had been reported in 13 communes of 11 localities from the start of 2019, leading to the culling of more than 23,000 poultry. 

The bird flu is forecast to widely spread in the remaining months of this year due to changing weather and surging poultry transportation in time ahead of the lunar new year holiday. 

Vietnam first detected bird flu virus strain of A/H5N1 in December 2003 on both humans and fowls. More than 45 million poultry in Vietnam were culled between 2003 and 2006. Since then, hundreds of thousands of fowls have been killed each year.  

In the 2004-2014 period, 127 people in Vietnam were infected with H5N1, including 64 fatalities, according to the ministry. The country has detected no new human cases of H5N1 infection since 2014.

Vietnamese southern province hit by bird flu, over 10,000 chickens culled

Via Xinhua: Vietnamese southern province hit by bird flu, over 10,000 chickens culled. It's almost nostalgic to blog an item like this:

HO CHI MINH CITY, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's southern Ba Ria Vung Tau province has seen first outbreaks of A/H5N6 bird flu which have led to the culling of 10,500 chickens, local media reported on Tuesday.  

The outbreaks were spotted in two communes in Xuyen Moc district on July 31 and Aug. 1, and then tests confirmed that some chickens were infected with the bird flu virus, Vietnam News Agency quoted the provincial Department of Livestock and Animal Health as reporting.  

Relevant local agencies have culled 10,500 chickens raised by two households in the two communes, disinfected surrounding areas and intensified vaccination among fowls in the district.  

In late July, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that the outbreaks of A/H5N6 and A/H5N1 bird flu had been reported in 13 communes of 11 localities from the start of 2019, leading to the culling of more than 23,000 poultry.  

The bird flu is forecast to widely spread in the remaining months of this year due to changing weather and surging poultry transportation in time ahead of the lunar new year holiday. 

Vietnam first detected bird flu virus strain of A/H5N1 in December 2003 on both humans and fowls. More than 45 million poultry in Vietnam were culled between 2003 and 2006. Since then, hundreds of thousands of fowls have been killed each year.  

In the 2004-2014 period, 127 people in Vietnam were infected with H5N1, including 64 fatalities, according to the ministry. The country has detected no new human cases of H5N1 infection since 2014.