H5N6 is avian influenza A, a subtype of avian influenza virus. According to reports, on August 17, Beijing confirmed a case of infection with H5N6 avian influenza. The patient was a 59-year-old non-local female. On August 6, symptoms developed due to contact with slaughtered poultry. So, what are the ways the virus is spread?

There is currently no conclusive evidence to prove that the H5N6 virus has the ability to spread between humans. Infection must occur through close contact with live poultry or the environment outside live poultry. Therefore, in order to strengthen prevention and control, the possibility of close contact with raw poultry and the external environment should be eliminated. If contact is necessary, personal protection must be taken. High-risk groups such as those who breed, sell, and process poultry must pay special attention.

Avian influenza subtype viruses can only be transmitted between raw poultry and humans. However, you should know that even if people do not have direct close contact with live poultry, they may be exposed to an environment contaminated by live poultry secretions or excreta, such as feces, or come into contact with water contaminated by this type of H5N6 virus or other infected persons. Infected items containing such viruses.

In order to avoid being infected with this subtype of avian influenza H5N6 virus, you must always keep your personal hygiene clean, be careful of live poultry trading markets, and stay away as far as possible. Of course, you should not touch slaughtered poultry. The patient diagnosed in Beijing was infected with the H5N6 virus after coming into contact with such poultry. Poultry after high-temperature sterilization is not contagious, so you can safely eat cooked poultry.

Of course, avian influenza viruses are mainly transmitted through the respiratory tract. Therefore, special attention must be paid to isolating confirmed patients and protecting their respiratory tracts to avoid infection by the avian influenza H5N6 virus transmitted through the respiratory tract.