China reports first human case of H3N8 bird flu

According to Reuters. China has recorded its first human infection with the H3N8 strain of bird flu, but the risk of its spread among people is low, the health authority said.

The variant was discovered in a four-year-old boy from Henan province’s central province, who had fever and other symptoms on April 5, according to the National Health Commission.

The child had been in contact with chickens and crows raised at his home, it added in a statement.

The H3N8 variant is common in horses and dogs and has even been found in seals. No human cases of H3N8 have been reported, said the NHC.