China detects world’s first case of H10N3 bird flu in humans

Chinese Health authorities announced today the detection of the world’s first human case of H10N3 bird flu.

In a statement, the National Health Commission assures that so far no human contagion of this virus has been detected, that it is an “accidental” transmission and that the risk of a large-scale spread is “very low.”

The patient is a 41-year-old man from the eastern province of Jiangsu who on April 23 began to notice fever and other symptoms, being hospitalized five days later after his condition worsened.

The Commission points out that the status of the infected person has improved to the point of reaching the requirements to be discharged.

Authorities carried out emergency follow-ups on all his close contacts in the province and found no “abnormalities.”

According to experts, who reiterate that it is an isolated case, the H10N3 virus does not have the ability to effectively infect humans.

The Commission called on citizens to avoid contact with dead birds on a daily basis and to try not to approach live birds either, as well as to take care of food hygiene and to go immediately to a doctor in case of symptoms such as fever or breathing problems.