The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is (October 18) closely monitoring a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in the Mainland, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.

The case involves a 60-year-old woman living in Changde in Hunan Province. She is a farmer and had exposure to dead poultry. She developed symptoms on October 3, and was admitted for treatment on October 13. The patient is in critical condition.

From 2014 to date, 48 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by Mainland health authorities.