On December 7th,
the World Health Organization released a report detailing two laboratory-confirmed
cases of human Avian Influenza A (H5N6) virus infection. The WHO was notified of the
infections by the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China,
which found the two cases in the Hunan and Guangxi provinces. The two infected individuals
were a 47-year-old woman, and a 30-year-old female, both of which were admitted
to hospitals in critical condition. For the latter case, investigators have
learned that the woman came in contact with dead poultry, though the
investigations are ongoing for both cases.
In response to
the two cases, the Chinese government has enacted several measures to prevent a
possible epidemic. These include collecting samples from the two reported cases
for further laboratory analysis, and carefully treating the two existing cases,
while expanding investigations into causes of the cases. The investigation is
currently focused on finding and monitoring family members and other close
contacts of the two infected individuals. In addition, China is increasingly scrutinizing
pneumonia cases tied to unknown causes, along with those associated with
influenza virus infection. While the WHO is considering the risk for
international spread of this influenza strain low, they, along with the Chinese
government, will closely monitor the existing cases, while remaining vigilant
in the search for new ones.
Ahmed Mustafa (’18)
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