China confirms first known human case of H3N8 strain of avian flu
Written by News Room on April 27, 2022
China has confirmed the first known human case of the H3N8 strain of avian flu, but health authorities say there is a low risk of widespread transmission among people.
H3N8 is known to have been circulating since 2002 after first emerging in North American waterfowl and is known to infect horses, dogs, and seals, but has not previously been discovered in humans.
China’s National Health Commission, on Tuesday, said a four-year-old boy living in central Henan province tested positive for the strain after being hospitalised earlier this month with a fever and other symptoms.
According to the China’s Health Commission, the boy’s family raised chickens at home and lived in an area populated by wild ducks.
Kevin Madu
