Avian #Influenza #Report: July 12 - 18 '26 (Wk 29) (HK CHP, July 21 '26): 1 New #Human Case of Infection with #H5 virus in #Bangladesh

 

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    ° Avian influenza A(H5): 

        § Bangladesh: 

            - Sylhet Division: A child with onset on May 17, 2026. 

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Source: 

Link: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk29.pdf

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Avian #Influenza #Report: July 5 – 11 '26 (Wk 28) (HK CHP, July 14, 2026)

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Avian influenza A(H5N1) 

    

    ° Phnom Penh {Cambodia}: 

        

        - The case involved a 9-month-old girl.

        - She has been isolated in the hospital and is receiving intensive medical care. 

        - The source of infection has not yet confirmed and the investigation is ongoing. 

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Source: 

Link: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk28.pdf

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#HK PRC SAR, CHP investigates a #human case of #influenza #H9 #infection (June 12 '26)

 

    The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (June 12) investigating a case of human infection with influenza A (H9) in collaboration with relevant departments. 

    The patient is a two-year-old boy. His condition has remained mild and he is currently in stable condition. 

    The CHP will send a letter to all doctors in Hong Kong to update them on the latest developments regarding avian influenza A and to urge them to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases.

 

Case information

    The boy lives in Sha Tin District. He developed a fever and mild diarrhoea on June 9. On the following day (June 10), he was brought to Prince of Wales Hospital and was admitted for treatment. His clinical specimen tested positive for the influenza A (H9) virus by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) of the CHP. The subtyping result is pending. His clinical diagnosis was novel influenza. He is currently in stable condition and has been admitted to an isolation ward at Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment.

      The CHP's preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. 

    The case has been classified as a locally acquired case. 

    The patient does not attend school or receive daycare services. 

    He is primarily cared for by his family members and spends most of his time at home or nearby. 

    His household does not keep poultry. 

    According to information provided by his family members, he has neither consumed undercooked poultry nor come into contact with any patients. 

    In early June, one of his family members took him to Wo Che Market on two occasions. During these visits, the patient stayed at a fresh provision shop in the market that sells live chickens to watch the poultry and touched the surroundings of the fresh provision shop. 

    The CHP conducted an investigation with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and collected environmental samples from the shop concerned. 

    The shop staff remained asymptomatic. 

    The patient has six household contacts and they remain asymptomatic so far. 

    The CHP has provided them with preventive medication and put them under medical surveillance.

      The CHP is continuing to investigate the source of infection of the case and is conducting whole genome sequencing of the virus sample. The CHP will also report the case to the World Health Organization (WHO).

      Humans are primarily infected with the influenza A virus through direct contact with infected poultry or through indirect contact with environments contaminated by their droppings. 

    The CHP's epidemiological investigation indicated that the patient had visited a location where live poultry was sold. It cannot be ruled out that the patient was infected through indirect contact with a contaminated environment at the wet market. 

    As young children have weaker immune systems and are incapable of maintaining good hand hygiene, the CHP advised parents to avoid taking young children to places where live poultry is sold. 

    Transporting poultry may contaminate the ground and the surrounding environment. 

    As young children are shorter in height and easy to be in contact with the surrounding environment, they are at greater risk of coming into contact with poultry droppings or contaminated areas.

      In the past ten years, the WHO has received reports of a total of over 160 cases of human infection with influenza A (H9) worldwide. 

    To date, most case of human infection with influenza A (H9) have presented with only mild clinical illness. 

    According to the WHO's risk assessment, the influenza A (H9) virus has not acquired the ability for sustained human-to-human transmissions.

 

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

    Novel influenza A infection, including influenza A (H9), is a notifiable infectious disease in Hong Kong. 

    Compared to other highly pathogenic avian influenza strains such as H5N1 and H7N9, influenza A (H9) is a low-pathogenic avian influenza strain that causes milder illness. 

    Excluding the aforementioned case, 10 cases of influenza A (H9N2) have been reported since 1999, including four locally acquired cases and six imported cases. 

    No deaths have been recorded so far. 

    In response to the latest local case, the CHP will issue a letter to all doctors in Hong Kong, reminding them of the latest situation of influenza A (H9), and urging them to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases.

      Sporadic cases of human infection with avian influenza occur from time to time internationally. Although the current risk of an outbreak is low, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has consistently implemented preventive measures, including a disease surveillance system, the implementation of livestock control measures at farms, markets and ports, in order to prevent avian influenza.

      The PHLSB of the CHP comprises laboratories with high biosafety standards, capable of conducting, testing for high-risk pathogens, and which also possess sufficient testing and genetic analysis capabilities and facilities. Hong Kong currently has sufficient reserve of antiviral medications.

 

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

    Humans are primarily infected with the avian influenza A virus through contact with infected birds, poultry or other animals (whether alive or dead), or through surfaces or environments contaminated with saliva, mucous and animal faeces (such as wet markets and live poultry markets). 

    The virus has very low transmissibility among humans. People who have close contact with live poultry are more susceptible to contracting avian influenza. The elderly, children and people with chronic illnesses have a higher risk of developing complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia, if infected. 

    Members of the public should remain vigilant and take the following measures to prevent avian influenza:

         ° Avoid contact with poultry, birds or their droppings. If contact has been made, thoroughly wash hands with soap and water;

        ° Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating;

        ° Perform hand hygiene at all times, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after contact with animals or their living environments; after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs; or when hands are contaminated with respiratory secretions, such as after coughing or sneezing;

        ° Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly;

        ° When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, do not go to work or school, avoid crowded places and seek medical advice promptly;

        ° Avoid crowded public places or areas with poorly ventilated; high-risk individuals may consider putting on a surgical mask when staying in such places; and

        ° Travellers returning to Hong Kong from areas affected by avian influenza outbreaks should consult doctors promptly if they have flu-like symptoms, and inform the doctor of the recent travel history and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spreading of the disease.

    The public may visit the CHP's webpages for more information: Avian Influenza Webpage, Avian Influenza Report, Avian influenza statistics and affected areas around the world, Facebook page and Youtube channel. 

 

Ends/Friday, June 12, 2026 | Issued at HKT 22:19 | NNNN

Source: 

Link: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202606/12/P2026061200852.htm?fontSize=1

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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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#HK, DH follows up on #Nipah virus #infection cluster in #India (Jan. 26 '26)

 

DH follows up on Nipah virus infection cluster in India

In light of reports indicating a cluster of a Nipah virus infection in a certain region of India, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (January 26) that it has proactively sought further information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian health authorities. 

The CHP is also conducting health screenings on inbound travellers from the affected area who exhibit suspected symptoms, with an aim of promptly referring suspected cases to hospitals for investigation. 

Currently, there are no imported or local cases of Nipah virus infection in Hong Kong.

Preliminary information indicated that a hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, has recorded five confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection since mid-January of this year. 

The cluster was mainly due to nosocomial transmission and primarily involved healthcare workers, with no reported deaths or cross-border transmissions to date. 

Approximately 100 close contacts have been quarantined and tested in India. 

The CHP's current risk assessment indicates a low risk of importation of Nipah virus into Hong Kong.

Nipah virus was first identified during outbreaks in Malaysia and Singapore from 1998 to 1999, affecting pig farm workers and individuals with close contact with pigs. 

It can affect various animals, including pigs, horses, goats, sheep, cats and dogs. 

Over the past two decades, multiple outbreaks of human Nipah virus infections were recorded in Bangladesh and India, typically occurring between December and April. 

Transmission primarily occurs through the consumption of raw date palm sap contaminated by fruit bats. India's most recent outbreak occurred in Kerala in mid-2025, involving four cases.

"Nipah virus infection is an emerging zoonotic disease. Fruit bats are the natural host for the virus. The virus is mainly transmitted through direct contact with sick animals via their contaminated respiratory droplets, nasal secretions and tissues. It can also be transmitted via consuming food contaminated with urine, droppings or saliva from infected bats, usually fruits or fruit products (particularly raw date palm sap). Human-to-human transmission is also possible through close contact with contaminated secretions and excretions of infected persons. Such transmission has been reported in patients' household and healthcare settings," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

Patients infected with Nipah virus can be asymptomatic. 

Early symptoms include flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, vomiting, sore throat and muscle aches. Other symptoms include dizziness, drowsiness and a decrease in consciousness. Severe cases may develop complications such as pneumonia, seizure, encephalitis, coma or even death. The case fatality rate ranges from approximately 40 per cent to 75 per cent. Among the patients who survive acute encephalitis, around 20 per cent of them may have persistent nerve problems. Currently, there is no specific treatment or medication for Nipah virus infection. The mainstay of treatment is limited to supportive care. Symptoms usually start to develop around four to 14 days after exposure, but onset may occur as late as 45 days.

"Hong Kong has the ability to detect infections of unknown causes and emerging infectious diseases at boundary control points and in hospitals. On the immigration level, the DH conducts medical assessments for sick travellers at all boundary control points and refers them to hospitals for medical examinations as needed. The CHP has a robust communicable disease surveillance and notification mechanism that enables medical professionals to report suspected cases. So far, no cases of Nipah virus infection have been recorded. Although there are no direct flights between Kolkata and Hong Kong, the CHP will step up health screenings for passengers arriving from India at the airport as a precautionary measure. Port Health staff have been arranged to carry out temperature screenings for travellers at relevant flight gates, perform medical assessments on symptomatic travellers and refer suspected cases with potential public health implications to hospitals for examination," said Dr Tsui.

Dr Tsui reminded the public to take the following measures to reduce infection risk if travel to Nipah virus-affected areas is unavoidable:

-- Avoid contact with wild animals or sick farm animals, especially bats, farmed pigs, horses, domestic and feral cats.

-- Avoid areas where bats are known to roost.

-- Observe good personal hygiene; wash hands frequently with liquid soap and water, especially after contact with animals or their droppings/secretions, and after taking caring of or visiting sick people.

-- Observe food hygiene by thoroughly washing and peeling fruits before consumption. Fruits with signs of bat bites or found on the ground should not be consumed. Avoid drinking raw date palm sap, toddy or other juice.

 The CHP will monitor the situation and implement appropriate prevention and control measures based on risk assessments to safeguard public health and the well-being of citizens.

 

Ends/Monday, January 26, 2026

Issued at HKT 19:45

Source: 

Link: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202601/26/P2026012600674.htm?fontSize=1

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#China reported two additional #human infection with avian #influenza virus A #H9N2 (HK CHP, Feb. 11 '25)

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Avian Influenza Report - VOLUME 21, NUMBER 6 - Reporting period: Feb 2, 2025 – Feb 8, 2025 (Week 6), (Published on February 11, 2025) 

-- Mainland China: 2 new cases (0 death cases): 

- Avian influenza A(H9N2): 

- Hunan Province: 

- 1) A two-year-old boy with onset on December 27, 2024.  

- 2) A 15-year-old boy with onset on January 8, 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_wk06.pdf

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