China detects first human infection with H3N8 avian influenza

It is specified that the child was in contact with poultry, wild ducks were seen near his house. On April 5, he developed a fever; on April 10, the child was hospitalized with deteriorating health. On April 24, he was tested and found to be H3N8.

The H3N8 influenza virus is of avian origin and has not previously been able to effectively infect humans. The H3N8 virus has been found in horses, dogs, birds and seals worldwide, but no cases of H3N8 have been reported in humans.

What happened is an accidental interspecies transmission from bird to human. Experts called the risk of a large-scale spread of infection low.

Last year, we recall, in China, cases of death were recorded among patients with H5N6 avian influenza. The first case of infection was detected in May 2014 in the southwestern province of Sichuan. To date, 35 such cases have been registered.