Human Infection of H10N3 Avian Influenza Reported in China

In China's Jiangsu province, a human infection with the H10N3 strain of avian influenza has been detected, said the National Health Commission (NHC).

+ The patient, a 41-year-old man in Zhenjiang city, developed fever and other symptoms on April 23 and was hospitalised on April 28, Xinhua news agency quoted the NHC as saying.

‘The whole-genome analysis shows that the avian-origin virus is not effectively infectious to humans, according to experts, who believe it poses a "very low" risk of large-scale outbreak.’

He is now in stable condition and has broadly met the standards for discharge, the Commission noted.

All close contacts of the patient in Jiangsu have been placed under medical observation and emergency monitoring has been initiated, said the NHC, adding that nothing abnormal has been detected.

The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention carried out whole-genome sequencing of the specimen on May 28 and the result was positive for the H10N3 virus.

Source: IANS