Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has confirmed two new human cases of H9N2 avian influenza from mainland China, with symptoms starting in late December 2025 and mid-January 2026. The announcement, released on February 10, 2026, underscores ongoing sporadic human infections of this low-pathogenic bird flu virus.
The new cases, reported in Hubei, Guangxi, and Jiangsu provinces, coincided with an additional infection of avian influenza A(H10N3) in a 34-year-old man from Guangdong Province, whose symptoms began on December 29, 2025. If confirmed, this would be only the seventh human case of H10N3 worldwide.
Data from CHP show that 20 human H9N2 infections have been recorded in China over the past six months. In 2025 alone, mainland China reported 29 cases, up from 11 in 2024, highlighting a notable rise. Although H9N2 has not demonstrated sustained human-to-human transmission, officials emphasize the importance of continued monitoring, as the virus circulates widely in poultry and can potentially reassort with other influenza strains.
H9N2 infections in humans are typically mild, resembling seasonal flu, with fever, cough, and sore throat; most patients recover fully without serious complications. The virus is commonly found in poultry, especially in live bird markets across parts of Asia.
Other avian influenza viruses, such as H7N9, have caused more severe illness despite being classified as low-pathogenic in birds. Between March 2013 and September 2019, a total of 1,568 human H7N9 cases were reported globally.
As of February 12, 2026, both CHP and the World Health Organization (WHO) assess the current public health risk from these H9N2 and H10N3 cases as low. The WHO does not recommend special traveler screenings or restrictions, noting that vaccination options for these viruses remain limited.
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