ALERT: China records ‘first human case’ of H10N3 bird flu

China’s National Health Commission (NHC), on Tuesday, said a 41-year-old man has been confirmed infected with the H10N3 strain of bird flu.

Although there are other strains of the avian influenza virus which have been recorded in humans — there have been reported infections with the H5N6 and the H5N1 viruses — the recent development is said to be the first human case of the H10N3 strain.

The patient, a resident of Jiangsu province, northwest of Shanghai, was reportedly hospitalised on April 28 after exhibiting symptoms, including fever.

He was later said to have been diagnosed as having the H10N3 avian influenza virus on May 28.

The NHC said he is in stable condition and should be discharged from the hospital.

The commission also noted that no human case of H10N3 has been reported before globally, but said the risk of large-scale spread is low.

It added that experts assessed that the full genetic analysis of the virus showed that the H10N3 virus was of avian origin.

“This infection is an accidental cross-species transmission. The risk of large-scale transmission is low,” the NRC said.