20.01.2016

WHO

One human infection with avian influenza A(H9N2) virus was reported from Bangladesh. The case was a 46-year-old male poultry worker in a market in Dhaka City. He had onset of illness on 27 October 2015 presenting with fever, runny nose, headache and myalgia. Throat and nasal swabs were collected as partof the market avian influenza surveillance system and tested positive for A(H9N2) virus. The patient recovered. One day prior to illness onset, the case reported handling sick poultry.Overall public health risk assessment for avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses: This is the third human infection of avian influenza A(H9N2) virus reported from Bangladesh. Further human cases and smallclusters could occur as this virus is circulating in poultry populations across Asia and the Middle East. Human cases have also previously been reported from China and Egypt. This virus does not seem to transmit easily between humans and tends to result in mild clinical disease, therefore thecurrent likelihood of community-level spread and public health impact of this virus is considered low.