Topline
A woman in China has become the first person in the world to die from a strain of bird flu rarely found in humans, the World Health Organization confirmed Wednesday, as concerns grow over the risk bird flu outbreaks pose to humans.
A woman in China died with bird flu, the WHO said.
Key Facts
A 56-year-old woman from China’s southern Guangdong province died after contracting H3N8, a form of avian influenza, the WHO said.
She fell ill in late February, was hospitalized for severe pneumonia in early March and died on March 16, the WHO said.
The agency said the woman, who had “multiple underlying conditions,” was probably infected at a wet market selling live poultry, where scientists later detected the virus, though stressed more research will be needed to make sure.
The woman is one of only three people known to have been infected with this particular strain of bird flu after China reported two separate infections last year and she is its first to die with it.
None of the woman’s contacts had contracted the virus or developed symptoms at the time China reported the case in late March, the UN agency said, adding that there are no signs the virus can spread readily among humans and the risk of further spread is “low.
The WHO said human infections with animal influenza variants are uncommon and typically follow close exposure to living or dead animals harboring the virus, with potential symptoms—if symptomatic at all—ranging from conjunctivitis and mild flu-like symptoms to neurological problems, severe respiratory disease or even death.
News Peg
Avian influenza can be lethal to birds but infections in humans are usually sporadic and limited to cases of close contact with infected animals, wild or domestic. The virus can rapidly tear through flocks with devastating effect and can wreak havoc on the poultry industry. An unprecedented pandemic, driven by a different strain, H5N1, has embedded itself in bird populations around the world and shown a disturbing ability to cause outbreaks among mammals, which has scientists worried it could seed a lethal new pandemic in humans. Influenza, particularly that “spilling over” from animals, has been responsible for some of the deadliest human disease outbreaks in history. H3N8 is a different type of avian influenza to the one causing chaos and consternation around the world and officials believe it is less of a threat to humans than H5N1. However, the WHO warns it should still be monitored closely given the virus’ ability to mutate. Aside from birds, the virus has been found in a number of mammal species, including dogs and horses.
Crucial Quote
“This human case of H3N8 virus infection is not thought to pose a risk to U.S. public health at this time,” the CDC said in a statement.
What To Watch For
The WHO stressed the importance of prompt investigation and diligent virus surveillance when dealing with a fast-moving virus like influenza, particularly given its well-documented history of causing outbreaks in humans. The delay in Chinese officials reporting the case to international health authorities—a month elapsed between when officials knew about the infection and when they informed the WHO—far exceeds the 24 hour limit for reporting human infections with animal influenza viruses set out under international law. The tardiness adds to widespread criticism targeted at China for allegedly hiding crucial data on the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, including from the WHO, which Beijing strenuously denies.
Further Reading
First birds, now mammals: how H5N1 is killing thousands of sea lions in Peru (Guardian)