The Epinhood (TEH)

AVIAN INFLUENZA, HUMAN (17): CHINA (SICHUAN) H5N6, REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION

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A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

In this post:
[1] CHP closely monitors human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in
Mainland
[2] Commentary on most recent H5N6 case

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[1] CHP closely monitors human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in
Mainland
Date: Mon 5 Jun 2023
Source: CHP – Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region [edited] https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202306/05/P2023060500305.htm

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is
today (5 Jun [2023]) 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 19 May [2023] 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.

While local surveillance and prevention and control measures are in
place, the CHP will remain vigilant and work closely with the World
Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the
latest developments.

The public should maintain strict personal, hand, food, and
environmental hygiene and take heed of the advice below when handling
poultry:
– Avoid touching poultry, birds, animals, or their droppings;
– When buying live chickens, do not touch them and their droppings. Do
not blow at their bottoms. Wash eggs with detergent if soiled with
faecal matter, and cook and consume the eggs immediately. Always wash
hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling chickens and
eggs;
– Eggs should be cooked well until the white and yolk become firm. Do
not eat raw eggs or dip cooked food into any sauce with raw eggs;
– Poultry should be cooked thoroughly. If there is pinkish juice
running from the cooked poultry or the middle part of its bone is
still red, the poultry should be cooked again until fully done;
– Wash hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose,
or eyes; before handling food or eating; and after going to the
toilet, touching public installations or equipment such as escalator
handrails, elevator control panels, or doorknobs; or when hands are
dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing; and
– Wear a mask if fever or respiratory symptoms develop, when going to
a hospital or clinic, or while taking care of patients with fever or
respiratory symptoms.

The public may visit the CHP’s pages for more information: the avian
influenza page, the weekly Avian Influenza Report, global statistics
and affected areas of avian influenza, the Facebook Page, and the
YouTube Channel.