A 4-year-old has been infected with H3N8 bird flu, the first human case ever

• Image Credit: Internet

• Apr 27, 2022 | Sourav Boruah

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color:#2E2E2E">Digital Desk:  mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;color:#2E2E2E">The
first case of  H3N8 strain of avian flu has been confirmed by China. The
Health authorities inform the media that there is a low risk of widespread
transmission among people. mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;color:#222222">

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After first emerging in waterfowl in North America, H3N8 has been circulating
since 2002. It is known to infect horses, dogs and seals, but has not
previously been detected in humans. mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;color:#222222">

color:#2E2E2E">On Tuesday, China's National Health Commission announced that a
four-year-old boy hospitalized earlier this month with a fever and other
symptoms had tested positive for the strain. mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;color:#222222">

color:#2E2E2E">China’s National Health Commission said in a statement that the
infected patient's family raised chickens at home and lived in an area
inhabited by wild ducks. mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;color:#222222">

color:#2E2E2E">The commission found "no evidence that the strain has the
ability to effectively infect humans" even though it was directly
transmitted from birds to the boy. mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;color:#222222">

color:#2E2E2E">It added that tests of the boy's close human contacts found
"no abnormalities". mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;color:#222222">

color:#2E2E2E">The NHC deemed this case a "one-off cross-species
transmission with low risk of widespread transmission". mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;color:#222222">

color:#2E2E2E">However, the public was advised to stay away from dead or sick
birds and seek immediate medical treatment if they experienced fever or
respiratory symptoms. mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;color:#222222">