China records first human infection with avian influenza A(H10N5) virus
China has informed the World Health Organisation (WHO) of one confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H10N5) virus in Xuancheng Prefecture which is the first case of human infection with this type of virus worldwide, TASS reports
According to the WHO office in Geneva, at the moment it does not recommend introducing restrictions on travel and trade with the People’s Republic of China, since the likelihood of human-to-human spread ‘is considered low’.
WHO noted that on January 27th, Beijing received information about a confirmed case of simultaneous infection with avian influenza A virus (H10N5) and seasonal influenza A virus (H3N2), “This is the first recorded case of human infection with avian influenza A(H10N5) virus in the world.”
The case occurred in a female farmer over 60 years of age from Xuancheng Prefecture, Anhui Province. She developed symptoms of the disease on November 30th, 2023, and died on December 16th. It is known that she had contact with live birds, and analyses of biosamples taken from the birds showed the presence of a subtype of the avian influenza virus A(H10N5).
The likelihood of human-to-human transmission of the virus is considered low, but the WHO has advised the public to ‘avoid high-risk environments, such as live animal markets or farms, and avoid contact with live poultry or surfaces that might be contaminated by birds or poultry droppings’.
