According to the World Health Organization, a 56-year-old lady in southern China died after testing positive for H3N8 bird flu, making her the first human death from that strain of bird flu.
The WHO said in a statement that the woman, who had pre-existing medical issues including cancer, was taken to the hospital with severe pneumonia after becoming ill in February. She passed away last month.
What Exactly is the H3N8 Virus?
The H3N8 virus is a kind of influenza A virus that is often found in animals around the world. H3N8 influenza A viruses are widespread subtypes in birds, causing little to no illness in either poultry or wild birds.
The transmission of avian influenza viruses from birds to people is usually infrequent and occurs in a specific context: the majority of cases previously documented were due to contact with diseased poultry or contaminated settings.
In terms of symptoms, zoonotic influenza infections in people can be asymptomatic or cause sickness. The sickness can range from conjunctivitis to mild flu-like symptoms to severe acute respiratory disease or even death, depending on the individual virus and the affected host. Although gastrointestinal and neurological complaints have been documented, they are uncommon.
H3N8 has been spreading since 2002 when it first appeared in waterfowl in North America. It has been observed infecting horses, dogs, and seals. In most cases, illness occurs as a result of direct or indirect contact with infected living or dead chickens or contaminated settings.
Is there a vaccination available for the H3N8 virus?
While there is a vaccination available against influenza viruses, none has been documented for the H3N8 influenza A virus.
The health organization advised practicing good hygiene by routinely washing hands or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, as well as wearing respiratory protection when in a potentially hazardous setting (such as live animal markets/farms, live poultry, or surfaces that may be contaminated by poultry or bird feces).
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