Situation Report: Case of Avian Influenza Reported in China

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Avian Influenza A(H3N8) Reported in China

On April 11, 2023, the World Health Organization released a report on the death of a woman infected with Avian Influenza A(H3N8) in China. Preliminary epidemiological investigation suggests that a visit to a live poultry market may have been the source of infection. This is the third case of human H3N8 infection ever recorded, and the first death. H3N8 is an Influenza A virus subtype distinct from the H5N1 subtype (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/influenza-a-virus-subtypes.htm, Accessed 4/14/2023) that has been circulating globally in bird populations.

Risk of H3N8 in the United States

Influenza A(H3N8) has never been detected in humans in the United States, and the current risk to the U.S. general public remains low at this time. However individuals with exposure to poultry have a greater risk of infection. People and domestic pets such as dogs and cats should avoid contact with deceased birds or other wildlife (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/groups.htm, Accessed 4/14/2023). 

Whenever avian influenza viruses are circulating in poultry, wild birds, or mammals, there is a risk for sporadic human infections caused by exposure to infected animals or contaminated environments. While human infection is rare, it can cause severe disease.

Health Care Precautions

Health care personnel should be alert for patients with respiratory symptoms and exposure to wild birds, poultry, and mammals that are sick or dead from unknown causes. Illness in humans (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-in-humans.htm, Accessed 4/14/2023) can range from from asymptomatic or mild illness, such a conjunctivitis or mild flu-like symptoms, to severe acute respiratory disease or even death. Gastrointestinal symptoms and seizures have been reported but are rare.

Health care workers should use appropriate personal protective equipment and precautions (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h5/worker-protection-ppe.htm, Accessed 4/14/2023) when dealing with suspected cases of avian influenza infection.

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