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Avian influenza

China Faces Growing Risk of Human H5N1 Infections

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the total number of bird flu outbreaks in China reaches 21, a senior mainland official has warned that the risk of human H5N1 infection will only increase during the winter. Deputy Agriculture Minister Yin Chengjie stated that the virus has become more virulent, with not only chickens but also a large number of geese and ducks dying. The number of deaths among migratory and wild birds has reached a record high, and the overall situation remains serious.

Key Takeaways:

  • China has reported 21 outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu in nine provinces, affecting 21 counties, with 144,624 domestic birds dying and 21.18 million being culled.
  • The virus has become more virulent, with geese and ducks, which are rarely affected, dying in large numbers.
  • The grass-roots animal-disease control system remains ill-prepared to cope with large outbreaks.
  • Only 60% of the 5.2 billion domestic birds that need to be vaccinated have been immunized, due to a lack of universal vaccination in China.
  • Local authorities who fail to report outbreaks to the central government and carry out appropriate measures to contain the outbreak may face criminal charges.
  • Southern China now faces a higher risk of outbreaks as birds migrate south, but there is still no sign of human-to-human transmission of the disease.
  • Deputy Agriculture Minister Yin Chengjie warned that the worst is yet to come, as the risk of human H5N1 infection will only increase during the winter.

Statistics:

  • 21 H5N1 outbreaks have been reported in nine provinces, affecting 21 counties.
  • 144,624 domestic birds have died.
  • 21.18 million domestic birds have been culled.
  • Only 60% of the 5.2 billion domestic birds that need to be vaccinated have been immunized.
  • 176 birds died in a town in Molidawada county in Inner Mongolia last Tuesday.
  • 3,500 geese died in Shishou city in Hubei on Wednesday.

Sources:

  • Xinhua report (no specific date or publication date mentioned)
  • Xinhua press conference with Deputy Agriculture Minister Yin Chengjie (no specific date or publication date mentioned)
  • Speech by Health Minister Gao Qiang at a conference in Shanghai (no specific date or publication date mentioned)
  • Xinhua report (quote of Jia Youling, director of the Ministry of Agriculture's veterinary bureau)
  • Xinhua report (quote of Cao Kangtai, head of the State Council's law and regulation office)

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