Between 21 and 26 April 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 2 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus.
Details of the cases
- A 35-year-old male living in Shen Nong Jia forest region, Hubei Province developed fever on 9 April and sought medical care. He was admitted to hospital for treatment on 12 April and is currently in critical condition. The patient’s clinical sample was confirmed to be A(H5N6) virus nucleic acid positive by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) on 21 April. He had exposure to a live poultry market before symptom onset. Close contacts of the patient remain healthy.
- An 11-year-old female living in Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province developed fever and cough on 11 April. As her symptoms worsened on 12 April, the patient was admitted to hospital for treatment. She is currently in stable condition. The patient’s clinical sample was confirmed to be A(H5N6) virus nucleic acid positive by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) on 24 April. She was exposed to live poultry before onset of the disease. Close contacts of the patient remain healthy.
Public health response
The Chinese Government has taken the following surveillance and control measures:- strengthening surveillance, analysis and research;
- further enhancing the medical care of the case;
- conducting public risk communication and releasing information.