The World Health Organization has reported the first human death after H3N8 bird flu spread to humans in China. A 56-year-old woman from China’s Guangdong province died after contracting the virus. The woman who died was one of three people in China infected with H3N8.
The patient, who was admitted to the hospital on March 3 due to severe pneumonia, died on March 16. The World Health Organization said that environmental samples were taken from the patient’s home and the market they visited and all of them were positive. According to WHO sources, the deceased patient had other medical conditions. They also had constant contact with domestic birds including chicken. But no one who came in close contact with the patient has been reported infected so far.
The H3N8 virus was first discovered in forest birds in the 1960s. It was also present in other animals. The virus is transmitted through contact with live or dead chickens or through repeated contact with virus-prone environments. The virus can cause severe respiratory problems, including pneumonia. So far there have been no reports of human-to-human transmission of the virus.
The World Health Organization advises that contact with birds, including chickens, and poultry farms should be avoided as much as possible. The WHO guidelines also recommend hand hygiene, frequent sanitization, and use of respiratory protective equipment in high-risk situations. The World Health Organization also prohibits travel to countries where the disease is at risk.
Content Summary: WHO issues advisory after China reports first human death from H3N8 Bird flu