ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Public Health

Sec. Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology and Prevention

Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1603158

This article is part of the Research TopicStrategies for Mitigating Zoonotic Influenza Outbreaks: A Comprehensive Preparedness ApproachView all 8 articles

Investigation of human infection with H5N6 avian influenza cases in Sichuan Province from 2014 to 2024: A Retrospective Study

Provisionally accepted
Lijun ZhouLijun Zhou1Zhirui LiZhirui Li1Xingyu ZhouXingyu Zhou1Lin ZhaoLin Zhao2Huanwen PengHuanwen Peng3Xunbo DuXunbo Du4Jianping YangJianping Yang5Fengmiao HuFengmiao Hu1Shuang DongShuang Dong1Baisong LiBaisong Li6Guidan LiuGuidan Liu7Hongyu TangHongyu Tang8Xiao LeiXiao Lei9Xiaojuan WangXiaojuan Wang10Shunning ZhaoShunning Zhao11Ping ZhouPing Zhou12Heng YuanHeng Yuan1Chongkun XiaoChongkun Xiao1*
  • 1Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu, China
  • 2Nanchong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanchong, Shanxi Province, China
  • 3Dazhou center for disease control and prevention, Dazhou, China
  • 4Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
  • 5Bazhong center for disease control and prevention, Bazhong, China
  • 6Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, Chongqing, China
  • 7Zigong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zigong, Sichuan, China
  • 8Deyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Deyang, China
  • 9Leshan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Leshan, China
  • 10Luzhou center for disease control and prevention, Luzhou, China
  • 11Ziyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ziyang, China
  • 12Yibin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yibin, China

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The objective is to examine the epidemiology and clinical features of human cases infected with H5N6 avian influenza in Sichuan Province from 2014 to 2024, and to offer guidance for the prevention and management of human infections with H5N6 avian influenza. Methods Epidemiological survey reports of H5N6 avian influenza cases in Sichuan Province from 2014 to 2024 were compiled, and the epidemiological context and characteristics of 16 human cases infected with H5N6 avian influenza in the province were summarized and analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. Results From 2014, when the initial human case ofH5N6 infection was documented in Sichuan Province, to 2024, there have been 16 human cases of H5N6 avian influenza in the region, resulting in 12 fatalities and a case fatality rate of 75%. The instances were predominantly located in the Chengdu Plain, eastern Sichuan, and southern Sichuan.Human instances of H5N6 avian influenza in Sichuan Province exhibit no discernible periodicity, and entail significant fatality rates. It is essential to enhance the early diagnosis and treatment of avian influenza cases in medical facilities, prioritize farmers with preexisting conditions who have been in contact with deceased poultry, conduct influenza virus testing promptly, and administer antiviral medications at the earliest opportunity. Simultaneously, we must effectively engage in public awareness and education for the populace, manage poultry scientifically, and prevent direct contact with deceased poultries.Keywords：Avian influenza A(H5N6) virus; Influenza A virus; Poultry diseases; Viral zoonoses; Epidemiology.

Keywords: influenza, Epidemiology, avian, H5N6, Poultry Diseases

Received: 31 Mar 2025; Accepted: 23 May 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 Zhou, Li, Zhou, Zhao, Peng, Du, Yang, Hu, Dong, Li, Liu, Tang, Lei, Wang, Zhao, Zhou, Yuan and Xiao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Chongkun Xiao, Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu, China

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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