Bird Flu Cases Confirmed in Asia

According to recent Hong Kong and Vietnam reports, avian influenza infections in humans have continued in 2022.

According to a Ministry of Health (MOH) news release last week, Vietnam reported the country's first H5 case since February 2014.

Vietnam has reported 128 human avian flu cases since 2003. From 2003 to 2009, the country confirmed 112 cases, including 57 fatal ones, according to World Health Organization data.

And Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) confirmed H5N6 avian influenza infection in a young boy living in Nanning in Guangxi province, which borders northern Vietnam.

"All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong," a spokesman for the CHP stated on October 21, 2022.

 From 2014 to date, 81 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by Mainland health authorities.

Avian influenza is caused by those influenza viruses that mainly affect birds and poultry, such as chickens or ducks.

Clinical presentation of avian influenza in humans may range from flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches) to severe respiratory illness (e.g., chest infection).

The public may visit the CHP's webpages for more information.

The U.S. government has approved a vaccine for one type of bird flu virus and could distribute it if a person-to-person avian influenza outbreak occurs. 

However, the annual flu shot would not offer protection from these avian influenzas.

Additional avian influenza news and vaccine developments are posted at PrecisionVaccinations.com/Avian.