Avian influenza – situation in China – update 6

6 March 2006

The Ministry of Health in China has reported an additional laboratory confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The case occurred in a 32-year-old man from the southern province of Guangdong. He developed symptoms of fever on 22 February followed by pneumonia. His condition deteriorated rapidly and he died on 2 March.

He was unemployed. No outbreaks in poultry have been reported in Guangdong Province since 2004.

To date, China has reported 15 laboratory confirmed cases. Of these, nine have been fatal. Two patients remain in critical condition.

The newly confirmed case is the first reported from Guangdong Province.