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Mahesh

28/04/22 08:10 AM IST

H3N8 bird flu

In News 
  • China has recorded its first human infection with the H3N8 strain of bird flu, but the risk of its spread among people is low.
  • This is the first case of human infection with the H3N8 strain of avian flu.
Avian Influenza 
  • The H3N8 variant is common in horses and dogs and has even been found in seals.
  • H3N8 is a subtype of the species Influenza A virus. It is known to infect birds, horses and dogs.
  • H3N8 is also known as equine influenza virus as it is the main cause of equine influenza – a highly-contagious respiratory disease that affects horses, donkeys, zebras and mules.
  • This strain does not have "the ability to effectively infect humans,” China’s National Health Commission said. The boy infected with H3N8 had been living in close proximity to chickens and wild ducks and was directly infected by the birds.
  • Many different strains of bird flu are present in China and occasionally infect humans. Cases are more frequent among people working in close contact with poultry.
  • According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Virology, H3N8 virus is highly adaptive as it is found in multiple avian and mammal hosts. It is capable of crossing the species barrier.
  • In 2012, H3N8 was blamed for the deaths of more than 160 seals off the northeastern coast of the United States after it caused deadly pneumonia in the animals.
Source-Indian Express 

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