The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Weekly Report recently announced the results of the investigation of the first human case of H10N5 avian influenza: the risk of disease caused by infection with the virus is high, and no evidence of human-to-human transmission has been found
On January 30, 2024, the National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention reported that a case of co-infection with influenza A virus H3N2 and avian influenza virus H10N5 was found in Zhejiang Province.
The case is a 63-year-old female who developed symptoms of cough, sore throat and fever on 30 November 2023; On December 2, due to the aggravation of his condition, he was admitted to Guangde County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Anhui Province for treatment; On December 7, he was transferred to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine for inpatient treatment, and later died on December 16 due to serious condition.
On January 23, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of Anhui Province and Zhejiang Province jointly launched a retrospective epidemiological study involving epidemiology, clinical features and etiology. During the epidemiological investigation, investigators conducted retrospective health follow-up of 30 close contacts, including medical staff, neighbors and family members of the case. None of the close contacts showed signs of infection, and the nucleic acid test results were all negative.
Investigators also collected 189 samples from the case's family, neighbours, supermarkets, mobile poultry vendors, and wholesale live poultry markets. Laboratory testing was completed on 167 samples, and analysis showed positive results such as H10N5 virus. On 30 January, the case was confirmed as the first human case of infection with the H10N5 virus, along with the H3N2 virus.
It is worth noting that investigators found the H10N5 virus sequence in the frozen duck meat in the refrigerator of the case's home
The case slaughtered a live duck at home on 26 November 2023 and began to develop symptoms such as cough, sore throat, fever, headache, fatigue and chest pain 5 days later. The case also had underlying conditions such as hypertension, cerebral infarction, gouty arthritis, and heart failure, and eventually died of severe pneumonia and type I respiratory failure.
According to the investigators, sequence analysis and local traceability results show that the H10N5 virus has little possibility of originating in mainland China, and it is speculated that the virus was transmitted by wild birds over long distances
The mechanism of infection with the virus is currently limited, no subsequent cases have been recorded, and no evidence of human-to-human transmission has been identified. Studies have shown that some of the virus's proteins exhibit greater pathogenicity and mutations after multiple passages in mice, suggesting that it poses a significant risk to human health.
Authoritative Q&A
Q
Is this a completely new virus?
H3N2 is a common seasonal influenza virus, while H10N5 has previously only been detected in poultry and in the environment, and this is the first case of human infection with this type of avian influenza virus.
Q
Will H10N5 still infect people more often in the future?
According to years of scientific research and clinical surveillance data, human infection with avian influenza virus is an occasional event, and no various types of avian influenza virus can continue to circulate in the human population.
Q
What is the source of infection of the avian influenza virus?
There are two main sources of avian influenza:
One is the poultry that carries the virus;
The second is the environment contaminated by the virus (e.g. live poultry markets, farms, free-range farms).
Q
Is it still possible to buy live chickens and ducks?
Chickens, ducks, geese and other poultry can be eaten with confidence as long as they are cooked, and cooked poultry will not be infected with avian influenza virus.
However, studies have found that many cases of infection often occur in the process of buying and slaughtering poultry, so it is recommended that everyone pay attention to personal protection, wear masks, gloves, etc., and thoroughly wash and disinfect clothing, hands, boards, containers, and floors contaminated by poultry.
Q
I've been in contact with live chickens and now I have symptoms, I don't know if I'm infected with avian flu, what should I do?
The initial symptoms of avian influenza are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses such as influenza, and there is no significant difference. If you have been exposed to poultry in a short period of time and have similar symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical attention and inform your doctor of the history of poultry exposure, and medical institutions have relevant testing and treatment options.
Again, a reminder
Experts from the National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention recommend that the public should avoid contact with sick and dead poultry in their daily lives, and try to avoid direct contact with live poultry; Pay attention to food hygiene, improve self-protection awareness, wear a mask if you have fever and respiratory symptoms, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
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Source | Beijing Evening News, Jiangsu CDC, Guangzhou Daily
Edit | Chen Yueyan
Audit | Chen Wenjing, Zhang Zhenye, Zhu Yawen
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