According to the WHO, the woman who died in March most likely caught the virus at a live poultry market, and there is little chance that it will spread further.
A 56-year-old woman in southern China died after testing positive for H3N8 avian influenza, marking the first human death from that strain of bird flu, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
H3N8 is “one of the most frequently found” subtypes of flu in birds; it had not been detected in humans before two cases emerged in April and May last year, both in China.
In a statement, the WHO said the woman, who had pre-existing medical conditions including cancer, had been admitted to the hospital with severe pneumonia after falling ill in February. She died last month.
What does H3N8 stand for?
Several different channels can be used to spread the equine influenza virus (H3N8). Respiratory tract secretions are the virus’s primary source.
H3N8 bird flu symptoms
The severity of the illness can range from conjunctivitis or mild flu-like symptoms to severe acute respiratory disease or even death, depending on factors related to the particular virus and the infected host. Although they are uncommon, gastrointestinal or neurological symptoms have been reported.
