China reports world’s first human case of H3N8 bird flu

Beijing, April 27 (EFE).- China has reported the world’s first human case of the H3N8 strain of bird flu, according to health authorities.

“H3N8 virus has been detected in horses, dogs, birds and seals worldwide, but no human cases of H3N8 have been reported,” the National Health Commission said late Tuesday night, adding that “the risk of a large-scale epidemic is low.”

The infection was found in a 4-year-old boy from the city of Zhumadian in the central province of Henan.

He developed a fever and other symptoms on Apr. 5 and was subsequently hospitalized, but no close contacts have been infected.

The commission confirmed that he had been in contact with chickens and crows raised at his home.

The authority has instructed Henan province to carry out prevention and control tasks and has organized experts to carry out risk assessments.

People should avoid contact with sick and dead poultry and direct contact with live poultry as much as possible, it added. EFE

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