Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the first patient of human infection with H5N6 avian influenza in Puyang city of Henan province in March 2022, and explore the source of infection so as to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of human infection with avian influenza.
Methods The epidemiological investigation was carried out on the patient of human infection with H5N6 avian influenza, close contacts and external environment involving poultry. The samples from respiratory tract of patient and close contacts, external environmental, biological samples of poultry and products of poultry were collected for detecting the nucleic acid of avian influenza virus by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.
Results The nucleic acid of avian influenza virus of subtype H5N6 was detected in alveolar lavage fluid, pharyngeal swab and nasal swab of the patient who had the occupational exposure history of poultry slaughter. The nucleic acid of avian influenza virus of subtype H5N6 was detected in 1 anvil plate smear sample that was collected from slaughterhouse, and nucleic acid of avian influenza virus of subtype H5 was detected in 9 samples of oropharyngeal swab from duck head products. This patient was a single sporadic case confirmed with human infection of subtype H5N6 avian influenza.
Conclusions The first patient was a single sporadic case with human case of H5N6 avian influenza in Puyang city. The pathogen of avian influenza A subtype H5N6 may be derived from slaughtered ducks. The routine surveillance of avian influenza and health education should be strengthened.

China: A human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) reported in Henan Province