The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 20) received notification of an additional human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Guangxi from the National Health and Family Planning Commission, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
 
     The case involved a 33-year-old man from Guigang. He developed symptoms on November 7 and was hospitalised on November 12. He is now in a critical condition. The patient had contact with live poultry and exposure to live poultry markets before the onset of symptoms.
 
     "Based on the seasonal pattern of avian influenza viruses, their activity in the Mainland is expected to increase in winter. The public should avoid contact with poultry, birds and their droppings and should not visit live poultry markets and farms to prevent avian influenza," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     From 2014 to date, 17 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities.
 
     "All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong," the spokesman said.
     Guangxi previous human H5N6 case reported in Liuzhou city in Nov 2016.