The Health Bureau (SSM) said yesterday that a case of human infection of H3N8 avian influenza virus has been confirmed in Guangdong province, according to a recent notification from the mainland health authorities, urging residents to avoid contact with birds and pay attention to personal and food hygiene.
According to the statement, the patient is a 56-year-old female living in Zhongshan city, with a history of underlying medical conditions, a history of exposure to live poultry before the onset of the disease and a history of wild bird activity around her home.
The H3N8 avian influenza virus is not directly transmissible from person to person, with a low risk of large-scale transmission. The H3N8 virus has been detected globally in horses, dogs, poultry and seals, according to the statement.
The SSM reminded residents to avoid contact with birds or their secretions or excreta, and wash hands immediately if contact is made, and also not to buy or carry unquarantined birds, nor eat poultry meat, offal, blood products and eggs that have not been thoroughly cooked.
For information on avian influenza, the public can visit the Health Bureau’s website (www.ssm.gov.mo) or call the bureau’s Infectious Disease Enquiry Hotline on 2870 0800 during office hours.
