Avian Flu H10N3 First Case of Human Infection Reported in China

The first case of human infection with the H10N3 strain of bird flu also known as Avian flu has been reported in China. The first Avian flu patient, a 41-year-old man from Zhenjiang city, is currently in a stable condition and meets discharge standards, the state-run CGTN TV of China reported. The patient was diagnosed as having the H10N3 avian influenza virus on May 28, National Health Commission said in a statement without mentioning how the man had got infected with the virus.

Prior to this case in China, no humans were reported to have got infected with H10N3 anywhere in the world. 

What is Avian Flu?

Avian flu or influenza is a disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.

The Type A virus infects the intestines and respiratory tract of birds and poultry, but they usually do not get sick. "However, avian influenza A viruses are very contagious among birds and some of these viruses can sicken and even kill certain domesticated bird species including chickens, ducks, and turkeys", the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention of America said. [Also Read: Avian flu: Under close surveillance in Assam]

H5N1 variety of Avian flu is the most common form of bird flu. It is deadly for birds and can easily affect humans and other animals that come in contact with a carrier. There are no reports of human-to-human spread of the virus.

How Can the Virus Spread?

Infected birds can shed avian influenza A viruses in their saliva, nasal secretions, and faeces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with the virus as it is shed by infected birds. They also can become infected through contact with surfaces that are contaminated with virus from infected birds, the CDC said. [Also Know: Avian Flu: Its Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Risk Factors]

What are types of Avian Flu?

H10N3, the one found in the man from China, is a low pathogenic or relatively less severe strain of the virus. This is found in poultry and the risk of it spreading on a large scale is very low.

H5N8 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus (also known as the bird flu virus). While H5N8 only presents a low risk to humans, it is highly lethal to wild birds and poultry.

H5N1 is another type of avian flu. According to World Health Organisation, it was in 1997 that for the first time humans were infected with this strain and 60 per cent of those infected died.

Avian influenza A viruses are classified into two categories: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) A viruses, and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A viruses.

Also Read: What is Yellow Fungus? All You Need to Know