ECDC
14 May 2026
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a fatal human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Chongqing Municipality, China.
The patient, a female in her fifties, contracted the virus following direct exposure to live poultry. Investigation into the source of infection revealed that the woman had purchased, slaughtered, and consumed live poultry prior to falling ill. Environmental samples collected from the cutting board used to prepare the food tested positive for the A(H5) virus.
H5N6 Cumulative Data (2014 – May 8, 2026):
- Total Confirmed Cases: 94 laboratory-confirmed human cases globally (93 in China, 1 in Laos).
- Total Fatalities: 58 deaths.
- Case Fatality Rate (CFR): 62.4%.
- Primary Risk Factor: More than 90% of all recorded cases reported direct exposure to domestic poultry.
