Avian #Influenza #Report - Reporting period: April 12 - 18 '26 (Wk 16) (HK CHP, April 21 '26): 3 new #human cases of #H9N2 virus in #China

 

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Avian influenza A(H9N2): 

-- Guangdong Province: 

1) A five-year-old boy with onset on February 23, 2026.

-- Jiangxi Province: 

2) A two-year-old boy with onset on March 20, 2026. 

-- Yunnan Province:

3) A two-year-old girl with onset on March 3, 2026. 

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Source: 

Link: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk16.pdf

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Avian #Influenza #Report - Reporting period: April 5 – 11, '26 (Wk 15) (HK CHP April 14, 2026): 2 new #human #H9N2 influenza cases in #China

 

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-- Avian influenza A(H9N2): 

- Guangdong Province: 

1) A three-year-old boy with onset on January 20, 2026. 

- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: 

2) A 63-year-old man with onset on February 5, 2026. 

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Source: 

Link: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk15.pdf

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#Surveillance and cross-species #transmission #assessment of #H3NX avian #influenza viruses isolated in #Guangdong province, #China from 2023 to 2025

 

Abstract

Continued influenza surveillance remains important, especially given that the emergence of novel subtypes or reassorted influenza viruses with pandemic potential continues to be a worldwide threat. In particular, virus circulating in birds can facilitate interspecies transmission to humans. In this study, we conducted systematic surveillance of H3 subtype avian influenza virus (AIVs) in domestic poultry and wild birds throughout Guangdong Province from 2023 to 2025. A total of 21 strains of H3 subtype AIVs were isolated, and phylogenetic analyses and risk assessment of their internal gene segments revealed genetic evidence of reassortment events, indicating a close genetic relationship with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs). ZJ1722, ZJ1542 and SZ837 showed dual-receptor binding ability and robust replication in mammalian cells, which coincided with amino acid mutations in the HA protein associated with human receptor binding. Although the H3NX viruses isolated in this study failed to cause lethality in mice, they efficiently replicated in the nasal turbinate and lungs of mice without prior adaptation. This study highlights the paramount importance of sustained, subtype-specific surveillance targeting H3NX avian influenza viruses coupled with timely risk characterization and assessment. Proactive containment of H3NX avian influenza virus (AIV) transmission has vital implications for safeguarding the sustainability of the poultry industry and protecting global human public health, given the inherent zoonotic potential and evolutionary plasticity of this H3 subtype, which could drive future spillover events.

Source: 

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579126004918?via%3Dihub

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#China reported two additional #human #infections with #influenza A #H9N2 and one new case of #H10N3 (HK CHP, Feb. 10 '26)

 

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Avian Influenza Report - Reporting period: February 1, 2026 – February 7, 2026 (Week 6) (Published on February 10, 2026) 

-- Avian influenza A(H9N2): 

1) Guangdong Province: 

- A 73-year-old woman with onset on January 17, 2026. 

2) Hunan Province: 

- A 2-year-old boy with onset on December 29, 2025. 

-- Avian influenza A(H10N3):

1) Guangdong Province: 

- A 34-year-old man with onset on December 29, 2025.  

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Source: 

Link: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk06.pdf

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Re-emergence of #chikungunya virus in #China by 2025: What we know and what to do?

 

Abstract

In July 2025, China witnessed its most significant chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak since 2010. As of August 1, with over 6,000 cases reported in Foshan city, Guangdong Province. Although the clinical manifestations have been relatively mild, the rapid transmission within communities warrants our attention. In this context, we emphasize our current knowledge and the necessary actions to take. Specifically, we identify critical gaps in CHIKV control efforts and assess the effectiveness of current measures. These include vector management strategies, viral genomic surveillance, the deployment of newly approved vaccines, and the development of antiviral agents. Overall, to effectively control the epidemic of CHIKV, we require a comprehensive and multifaceted strategy for its prevention and management.

Source: PLoS Pathogens, https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1013556

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#China, two additional #human cases of #infections with #influenza A #H9N2 reported (#HK CHP, July 22 '25)

 

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Avian influenza A(H9N2): 

-- Guangdong Province:

- 1) An individual with onset on May 28, 2025. 

-- Hubei Province: 

- 2) An individual with onset on June 21, 2025. 

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Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/resources/29/332.html

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Two additional Avian #Influenza #H9N2 #Human Cases in #China (HK CHP)

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{Avian Influenza H9N2 Human Cases in China}

-- Mainland China: 2 cases (0 death) 

- Avian influenza A(H9N2): 

* Guangdong Province: 

- A 72-year-old woman with onset on December 26, 2024. 

- A 56-year-old woman with onset on January 20, 2025. 

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Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2025_avian_influenza_report_vol21_wk07.pdf

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The Emergence of #Coxsackievirus A16 Subgenotype B1c: A Key Driver of the #HFMD #Epidemic in #Guangdong, #China

Abstract

Background: 

In 2024, mainland China witnessed a significant upsurge in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases. Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) is one of the primary causative agents of HFMD. Long-term monitoring of theCVA16 infection rate and genotype changes is crucial for the prevention and control of HFMD. 

Methods: 

A total of 40,673 clinical specimens were collected from suspected HFMD cases in Guangdong province from 2018 to 2024, including rectal swabs (n = 27,954), throat swabs (n = 6791), stool (n = 5923), cerebrospinal fluid (n = 3), and herpes fluid (n = 2). A total of 24,410 samples were detected as EV-positive and further typed by RT-PCR. A total of 872 CVA16-positive samples were isolated and further sequenced to obtain the full-length VP1 sequence. Phylogenetic analysis was performed based on viral protein 1 gene (VP1). 

Results: 

In the first 25 weeks of 2024, reported cases of HFMD were 1.36 times higher than the mean rates of 2023. In 2024, CVA16 predominated at 75.42%, contrasting with the past etiological pattern in which the CVA6 was predominant with the detection rate ranging from 32.85 to 77.61% from 2019 to 2023. Phylogenetic analysis based on the VP1 gene revealed that the B1a and B1b subtypes co-circulated in Guangdong from 2018 to 2022. The B1c outbreak clade, detected in Guangdong in 2023, constituted 68.24% of the 148 strains of CVA16 collected in 2024, suggesting a subtype shift in the CVA16 virus. There were three specific amino acid variations (P3S, I235V, and T240A) in the VP1 sequence of B1c. 

Conclusions: 

The new emergence of the CVA16 B1c outbreak clade in Guangdong during 2023–2024 highlights the necessity for the enhanced surveillance of the virus evolution epidemiological dynamic in this region. Furthermore, it is imperative to closely monitor the etiological pattern changes in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in other regions as well. Such vigilance will be instrumental in guiding future vaccination strategies for HFMD.

Source: Viruses, https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/2/219

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