Russia reports first global case of human infection with H5N8 avian influenza

Russia has recorded the first case of an avian influenza virus strain named A (H5N8) transmitted to humans from birds and reported the problem to the World Health Organization (WHO), Anna said Popova, head of consumer health surveillance Rospotrebnadzor, on Saturday.

Outbreaks of the H5N8 strain have been reported in Russia, Europe, China, the Middle East and North Africa in recent months, but so far only in poultry. Other strains – H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2 – have been known here to spread to humans.

Russia reported the case of human infection to the WHO “several days ago, just when we were becoming absolutely certain of our results,” Popova told Rossiya 24 state television. There was no still a sign of transmission between humans, she added.

Seven workers at a poultry factory in southern Russia were infected with the H5N8 strain during an outbreak at the plant in December, Popova said, adding that those involved were feeling well now. “This situation has not developed further,” she said.

In an email, the European branch of the WHO said it had been informed by Russia of a case of human infection with H5N8 and acknowledged that if this was confirmed, it would be the first time that the strain would infect people.

“Preliminary information indicates that the reported cases were workers exposed to flocks of birds,” the email said. “They were asymptomatic and no human-to-human transmission was reported.

“We are in discussions with national authorities to gather more information and assess the impact of this event on public health,” the email added.

The majority of human infections with avian influenza have been associated with direct contact with infected poultry alive or dead, although properly cooked foods are considered safe.

Bird flu outbreaks often cause poultry factories to kill their birds to prevent the spread of the virus and prevent importing countries from having to impose trade restrictions.

The vast majority of cases are spread by migratory wild birds, so producing countries tend to keep their poultry indoors or protect them from contact with wildlife.

The Siberian Vector Institute announced on Saturday that it will start developing human tests and a vaccine against H5N8, the RIA news agency reported.