What is H3N8 bird flu?

H3N8 viral strain, which is known to infect horses, dogs, and even seals, has now been detected in humans, with China reporting the first case.

The virus has infected a four-year-old boy living in China’s central Henan province who showed fever and other symptoms, the National Health Commission said in a statement.

The statement added that the child’s family raised chickens at home and lived in an area populated by wild ducks. His case is one-off cross-species transmission, and the risk of large-scale transmission is low. The child’s close contacts have tested negative for the virus.

Nevertheless, the health agency warned the citizens to maintain distance from dead or sick birds and further advised an immediate treatment for fever or respiratory symptoms.

What is H3N8 bird flu

H3N8 is a type of canine influenza, which is also known as dog flu.

Avian influenza occurs mainly in wild birds and poultry, with the cases of transmission between humans being extremely rare.

According to the US-based Centre for Disease Prevention & Control (CDC), canine influenza A(H3N2) viruses are different from seasonal influenza A(H3N2) viruses that spread annually in people.

H3N8 viruses originated in horses and then transmitted to dogs. “H3N8 equine influenza (horse flu) viruses have been known to exist in horses for more than 40 years,” CDC maintains.

Scientists have said that the virus jumped from horses to dogs for survival and has adapted to cause illness in dogs and spread among dogs, especially those housed in kennels and shelters.

According to WHO, avian influenza is primarily acquired through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments but does not result in the efficient transmission of these viruses between people.

The common symptoms of bird flu in humans are cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, headache, and dyspnea.

Severe bird flu symptoms include pneumonia, conjunctivitis, respiratory failure, kidney dysfunction, and heart problems.