China Confirms One Human H5N6 Bird Flu Case; Should We Worry?

In southwest China, a single case of H5N6 avian flu has been detected. Is there a chance that the infection may spread?

According to Chinese state-run media, CGTN, a 55-year-old male in Bazhong City, Sichuan province, contracted H5N6 avian influenza. The man apparently had a fever on June 30 and was diagnosed with the virus two days later, on July 6. He has been admitted to the hospital.

The area has been sterilized, and local emergency reaction teams have been deployed. According to the site, an expert review of the case indicated an "extremely low" possibility of the virus spreading widely.

(Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
HONG KONG, CHINA: Hong Kong Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) medical staff dressed in special sanitary gear prepares to take blood samples from the first batch of live chickens to arrive from China since the import ban, 07 February as they are offloaded from the delivery trucks at the Man Kam To border area. The poultry was tested for H5N1 influenza, known as "bird flu," which killed six people in Hong Kong before the remaining stock of 1.5 million chickens was slaughtered in late December.

More Than 30 Cases of Human H5N6 Infections

Since 2014, the World Health Organization has received 32 laboratory-confirmed instances of human H5N6 infections in the Western Pacific Region, including 19 deaths, according to a July 9 report on avian influenza. The most recent H5N6 case was again from China at the time of the report, with an onset date of May 13, 2021.

According to the health organization, when avian influenza viruses are circulating, there is a possibility of "sporadic infection and tiny clusters" of human cases.

"Therefore, sporadic human cases are not unexpected," the WHO explained. "With continued incidence of avian influenza due to existing and new influenza A(H5) viruses in poultry, there is a need to remain vigilant in the animal and public health sectors."

US News said Russia also reported the first human cases of the H5N8 avian flu strain in seven employees at a poultry plant earlier this year. These were the first human cases of infection with the H5N8 virus, which is known to be lethal in birds.

"It is not transmitted from person to person," said Anna Popova, Russia's public health chief, in a televised statement at the time. "But only time will tell how soon future mutations will allow it to overcome this barrier."

ALSO READ: H5N8 Avian Flu Strain Detected First Bird to Human Transmission in Russia, Is It Lethal for Humans?

Should People Worry About Flu Virus?

Flu viruses evolve a lot in nature, which is why scientists are interested in them. Researchers warned per Futurism last year that a new strain of the H1N1 swine flu may be transmitted between people.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Avian influenza is a virus that infects birds. Humans are rarely infected with these viruses, but there have been "rare" cases of human infection. This occurs when the virus is shed in the feces, mucus, or saliva of the birds or when "enough virus" is inhaled or enters the human's eyes, mouth, or nose.

Although the spread of avian influenza A viruses from one person to another is said to be reported "very rarely," CDC said monitoring is still an integral part of preventing such cases because of viruses' ability to mutate.

Republic World said symptoms appear two to eight days after the virus is contracted and can mimic the ordinary flu. Symptoms include cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, and shortness of breath.

In humans, avian influenza cannot be identified based on clinical signs and symptoms; instead, laboratory testing is required. A swab from the ill person's upper respiratory tract (nose or throat) must be obtained and utilized to establish if the virus is positive or negative.