INFLUENZA A (H3N8). In China, a woman has died after being infected with the H3N8 bird flu virus. This is the first recorded death. What is this H3N8 virus? Is it dangerous for humans? Info.
[Mise à jour le 12 avril 2023 à 10h47] A 56 year old woman from Guangdong Province (China) died of H3N8 avian influenza reported the World Health Organization (WHO) on April 11, 2023. This is the first case of human death recorded after infection with influenza A(H3N8). “She was hospitalized for a severe pneumonia the 3 of March and died March 16” specifies the WHO. The patient had been exposed to live poultry but to date, no contact of this woman has developed an infection or symptoms of the disease. it’s about the third human infection reported in China after the first two cases in April and May 2022. “Influenza viruses are constantly evolving and large epidemics are occurring among animal populations, which is why the WHO emphasizes the importance of global monitoring to detect any changes associated with emerging or circulating influenza viruses, which may constitute a threat to humans or animal health“ warns the WHO.
What is the H3N8 flu virus?
H3N8 is a subtype of the influenza A virus or bird flu. This type of virus has so far affected horses, birds and dogs, as well as pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses). Avian influenza is a disease of animal origin caused by A strains of the influenza virus. “Avian influenza is a viral disease that affects birds, and whose mortality rate is very high in farmed birds (chickens, geese, etc.)“ recalls the Pasteur Institute.
It is contact with infected animals that contributes to the transmission of the virus to humans. On April 26, 2022, China announced that it had identified the first case of H3N8 avian flu in a 4-year-old child whose family raises chickens and lives in a area populated by wild ducks. THE boy was infected directly by birds. Not all bird flu viruses are transmitted to humans. Of 144 strains of avian influenza A viruses, four have caused human infections: H5N1, H7N3, H7N7 and H9N2. To date, the bird flu virus has not been transmitted from person to person.
What are the symptoms of H3N8 avian flu?
“Zoonotic influenza infections in humans can be asymptomatic or cause illness. Depending on factors related to the specific virus and the infected host, illness may range from conjunctivitis or mild flu-like symptoms to one severe acute respiratory illness or even death“indicates the WHO. Among the symptoms of avian flu are:
- high fever (above 38°C)
- fatigue,
- muscle aches,
- cough and sore throat.
“This virus does not have the ability to spread easily from person to person”
Is the H3N8 avian flu dangerous for humans?
“It seems like this virus does not have the ability to spread easily from person to person and, therefore, the risk of spread among humans nationally, regionally and internationally is considered to be weak“emphasizes the WHO.”It’s here first time, at least in the time of modern virology, that we have a passage of H3N8 in humanscommented Jean-Claude Manuguerra, virologist, trained veterinarian and head of the Biological Emergency Response Unit at the Institut Pasteur interviewed by TF1 April 28. “It’s only one case“, emphasizes Jeanne Brugère-Picoux, veterinarian and member of the National Academy of Medicine, whom we contacted.I don’t think you need to worry more than that. On the other hand, it is a signal that must be taken into account, and that the passage of these viruses to humans must generally be monitored.” recommends Dr. Manuguerra.
Sources:
– Avian Influenza A (H3N8) China, WHO, April 11, 2023
-AFP
– Avian flu, Institut Pasteur