Human emerging respiratory pathogens bulletin: Issue 80, August 2023

Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada

Date published: 2023-09-12

Monthly situational analysis of emerging respiratory diseases affecting humans (data to August 31, 2023).

In this bulletin

Avian influenza updates
Swine influenza updates
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) update

Update on human emerging respiratory pathogen public health events as of August 31, 2023^{Footnote 1}
Novel influenza^{Footnote 1}	Cumulative Case Count^{Footnote 2}	Deaths	Case Fatality Rate %^{Footnote 3}
Avian Influenza
A(H1N2)^{Footnote 4}	2	0	0%
A(H3N8)	3	1	33%
A(H5N1)	896	464	52%
A(H5N6)	88	33	38%
A(H5N8)	7	0	0%
A(H7N4)	1	0	0%
A(H7N9)	1,568	615	39%
A(H9NX)^{Footnote 5}	1	0	0%
A(H9N2)	118	2	2%
A(H10N3)	2	0	0%
Swine Influenza
A(H1N1)v	45	1	2%
A(H1N2)v	49	0	0%
A(H3NX)v^{Footnote 6}	1	0	0%
A(H3N2)v	446	1	<1%
A(H1NX)v^{Footnote 7}	1	1	100%
Eurasian avian-like A(H1N1)v	10	0	0%
MERS-CoV^{Footnote 1}	Cumulative Case Count^{Footnote 2}	Deaths	Case Fatality Rate %^{Footnote 3}
Global Case Count^{Footnote 8}	2,605	937	36%
- Within Saudi Arabia^{Footnote 9}	2,196	856	39%
Footnotes Footnote 1 Date of 1st Reported Case of Human Infection: MERS-CoV: February 2013 (retrospective case finding September 2012). A(H7N9): March 2013. A(H5N1): 1997. A(H9N2): 1998. A(H5N6): 2014. A(H5N8): December 2020. A(H7N4): February 2018. A(H1N2): March 2018. A(H10N3): May 2021. A(H3N8): April 2022. A(H3N2)v with M gene from pH1N1: 2011. A(H1N2)v: 2005. A(H1N1)v: 2005. EA A(H1N1): 1986, but the above table counts cases from January 2021. Return to footnote 1 referrer Footnote 2 Cumulative Case Counts: updated using data reported by the World Health Organization (avian and swine influenza, MERS CoV), and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) (swine influenza). Return to footnote 2 referrer Footnote 3 Case Fatality Rate: The proportion of cases that resulted in death. Note that this rate is dependent on accurately reported deaths. For events with active cases, may be updated retrospectively as final disposition is known. Return to footnote 3 referrer Footnote 4 A(H1N2): virus is a seasonal reassortant of the A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) seasonal strains. Return to footnote 4 referrer Footnote 5 A(H9NX): virus is a novel influenza A(H9) virus with pending, inconclusive, or undetermined neuraminidase results. Return to footnote 5 referrer Footnote 6 A(H3NX)v: virus is a novel influenza A(H3) virus with pending, inconclusive, or undetermined neuraminidase results. Return to footnote 6 referrer Footnote 7 A(H1NX)v: virus is a novel influenza A(H1) virus with pending, inconclusive, or undetermined neuraminidase results. Return to footnote 7 referrer Footnote 8 Global Case Count: cumulative case count and deaths due to MERS-CoV reflect retrospective updates provided in the World Health Organization (WHO) Disease Outbreak News (DON). Return to footnote 8 referrer Footnote 9 Saudi Arabia: cumulative case count and deaths due to MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia reflect retrospective updates provided in the WHO DON. Return to footnote 9 referrer

The Human Emerging Respiratory Pathogens (HERP) Bulletin is a monthly publication developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)'s Centre for Emerging and Respiratory Infections and Pandemic Preparedness (CERIPP). The HERP Bulletin serves as a mechanism for information sharing on summary surveillance indicators of global public health events affecting humans in the field of emerging respiratory pathogens. This includes pathogens such as novel influenzas (both avian and swine-origin), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and other ad-hoc emerging respiratory pathogens.

Monthly Highlights

During the month of August 2023, the following human cases have been reported:

Two new human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6)
One new human case of avian influenza A(H9NX)
One new human case of swine origin influenza A(H1N2)v
One new human case of swine origin influenza A(H3NX)v
Three new human cases of MERS-CoV

Figure 1. Text version below. — **Figure 1. Spatial distribution of human cases of avian and swine influenza reported globally in August 2023 (n=5).**

Note: Map was prepared by CERIPP using data from the latest WHO Event Information Site (EIS) postings. This map reflects data available through these publications as of August 31, 2023.

Avian influenza updates

Avian influenza A(H5N1)

The most recent human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) were reported in July 2023 from the United Kingdom.

Since 2022, 15 human cases of A(H5N1) have been reported worldwide (2022 n=5, 2023 n=10) in Cambodia (2), Chile (1), China (2), Ecuador (1), Spain (2), United Kingdom (5), United States (1), Vietnam (1). Of these cases, 13 belonged to clade 2.3.4.4b and two belonged to clade 2.3.2.1c (both from Cambodia). Since the emergence of A(H5N1) in humans in 1997, 896 human cases of A(H5N1) have been reported globally, with a CFR of 52%.

In Canada, a significant number of A(H5N1) detections associated with the current 2021-2023 A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b epizootic have been reported in domestic, backyard, and wild bird populations, as well as other animal species. No domestically acquired human A(H5N1) infections have ever been reported in Canada. In 2014, Canada (Alberta) reported a single fatal case of A(H5N1) in a resident returning from travel in China.

Avian influenza A(H5N6)

Two new human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) were reported in August 2023 from China and both cases were from Sichuan Province, China. One case was a male from Chongqing Municipality whose age was unknown. He was in critical condition as of the time of last report, and was exposed to two dead chickens prior to illness onset. The other case was a 27-year-old female who was hospitalized with severe pneumonia. She had exposure to a poultry farm located in Dazhou Municipality. Environmental samples tested positive for A(H5N6). As of the time of last report, no close contacts have developed symptoms of illness.

In 2023, five human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been detected. A total of 88 laboratory-confirmed human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6), including at least 33 deaths (CFR: 38%) have been reported globally since 2014. Since January 2021, 62 cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported globally; 32 cases in 2021, 25 cases in 2022 and five cases in 2023 (Figure 2); the majority of cases (61) were reported from China and one case was reported from Lao PDR (Figure 3). No cases have been reported in Canada.

Avian influenza A(H9NX)

One new human infection of avian influenza A(H9NX) was reported in August 2023 in China. The case was a 4-year-old female from Sichuan Province, and she had an illness onset date of August 7, 2023. No additional case details were available as of the time of last report.

Not including this case, in 2023, 11 human cases of avian influenza A(H9N2) have been reported globally. Since the emergence of this virus in the human population in 1998, 118 cases have been reported worldwide, with a CFR of 2%. No cases have been reported in Canada.

Figure 2. Text version below. — **Figure 2. Temporal distribution of human cases of A(H5N6) influenza reported, globally, by month, January 1, 2021 to August 31, 2023 (n=62).**

Temporal distribution of human cases of A(H5N6) influenza reported, globally, by month, January 1, 2021 to August 31, 2023 (n=62).
Year	Month	Cases
2021	Jan	1
Feb	2
Mar	2
Apr	0
May	0
June	1
July	4
Aug	6
Sep	6
Oct	4
Nov	0
Dec	6
2022	Jan	8
Feb	6
Mar	3
Apr	3
May	1
June	1
July	0
August	0
Sep	1
Oct	1
Nov	0
Dec	1
2023	Jan	0
Feb	0
Mar	1
Apr	0
May	1
June	0
July	1
August	2

Note: Graph was prepared by CERIPP using data from the WHO EIS postings and the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) press releases. This graph reflects data available as of August 31, 2023.

Figure 3. Text version below. — **Figure 3. Spatial distribution of human cases of A(H5N6) influenza reported in China and Lao People's Democratic Republic from January 1, 2021, to August 31, 2023 (n=62).**

Note: Map was prepared by CERIPP using data from the WHO EIS postings and the Hong Kong CHP press releases. This map reflects data available through these publications as of August 31, 2023.

Figure 4. Text version below. — **Figure 4. Temporal distribution of human cases of A(H5N1) influenza reported globally, by year, January 1, 1997 to August 31, 2023 (n=896).**

Temporal distribution of human cases of A(H5N1) influenza reported globally, by year, January 1, 1997 to August 31, 2023 (n=896).
Year	Number of Cases	Deaths	Survived
1997	18	6	12
1998	0	0	0
1999	0	0	0
2000	0	0	0
2001	0	0	0
2002	0	0	0
2003	4	4	0
2004	46	32	14
2005	98	43	55
2006	115	79	36
2007	88	59	29
2008	44	33	11
2009	73	32	41
2010	48	24	24
2011	62	34	28
2012	32	20	12
2013	39	25	14
2014	52	22	30
2015	145	42	103
2016	10	3	7
2017	4	2	2
2018	0	0	0
2019	1	1	0
2020	1	0	1
2021	2	1	1
2022	5	1	4
2023	10	2	8

Note: Graph was prepared by CERIPP using data from the WHO EIS postings, the US CDC's Health Alert Network (HAN), and WHO cumulative case counts. This graph reflects data available as of August 31, 2023.

Swine influenza updates

Swine origin influenza A(H1N1)v

The most recent human case of swine origin influenza A(H1N1)v was reported in June 2023 in Brazil.

There have been four human A(H1N1)v cases reported worldwide in 2023. A total of 45 human cases of A(H1N1)v have been reported globally since 2005, with a 2% CFR. Two A(H1N1)v detections have been reported in Canadian residents since reporting began in 2005, with the first case reported in Ontario in September 2012 and the second case reported in Manitoba in April 2021 (see HERP Bulletin #52).

Swine origin influenza A(H1N2)v

One human case of swine origin influenza A(H1N2)v was reported in August 2023 from the United States. The case was under 18 years old and attended an agricultural fair in Tuscola County, Michigan. The case was not hospitalized, received antiviral treatment, and had recovered from the infection. No human-to-human transmission associated with this case has been identified.

There have been two human swine origin influenza A(H1N2)v cases reported worldwide in 2023. A total of 49 human cases of swine origin influenza A(H1N2)v have been reported globally since 2005, with a 0% CFR. Three swine origin influenza A(H1N2)v detections have been reported in Canadian residents since reporting began in 2005, and the latest case in Canada was reported in November 2021 in Manitoba (see HERP Bulletin #59).

Swine origin influenza A(H3NX)v

One putative human case of infection with swine origin influenza A(H3) was reported from the United States in August 2023. The case was under 18 years of age, was not hospitalized, received antiviral treatment, and recovered from the infection. This case attended an agricultural fair in Oakland county, Michigan. This agricultural fair was geographically different from the fair attended by the case who tested positive for A(H1N2)v.

No cases of swine origin influenza A(H3N2)v have been detected in 2023. Excluding this case, globally, 446 swine origin influenza A(H3N2)v cases have been reported since 2005, with <1% CFR. Two swine origin influenza A(H3N2)v detections have been reported in Canadian residents since reporting began in 2005, with the latest case reported in June 2021 (see HERP Bulletin #54).

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) update

Three human cases of MERS-CoV were reported from Saudi Arabia in August 2023. These cases occurred between November 2022 and January 2023 and were reported from three different regions: Riyadh, Asser, and Makkah Al Mukarramah. The cases were 42-, 83-, and 85-years old, respectively. All cases were male, non-health care workers who had comorbidities. All cases were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), where two died and one recovered. Two of the cases reported contact with camels and all cases consumed raw camel milk prior to symptom onset. No secondary cases related to any of the three cases were identified.

In 2023, seven cases of MERS-CoV were reported. According to the WHO, 2,605 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV, including 937 deaths, have been reported globally since reporting began in 2012 (CFR: 36%). No cases have ever been reported in Canada.

Figure 5. Text version below. — **Figure 5. Temporal distribution of human cases of MERS-CoV reported to the WHO, globally, by month and year, January 1, 2019 to August 31, 2023 (n=326)**

Temporal distribution of human cases of MERS-CoV reported to the WHO, globally, by month and year, January 1, 2019 to August 31, 2023 (n=326).
Year	Month	Deaths	Survived
2019	Jan	5	14
Feb	14	62
Mar	3	26
Apr	11	11
May	4	10
June	1	6
July	4	5
Aug	1	5
Sep	1	3
Oct	6	8
Nov	2	10
Dec	3	2
2020	Jan	5	15
Feb	5	14
Mar	5	10
Apr	0	2
May	5	2
June	0	0
July	0	0
Aug	0	0
Sep	0	0
Oct	0	0
Nov	1	3
Dec	0	3
2021	Jan	0	0
Feb	3	3
Mar	1	1
Apr	0	0
May	1	0
June	0	1
July	0	2
Aug	1	0
Sep	0	0
Oct	0	1
Nov	0	0
Dec	3	0
2022	Jan	0	0
Feb	0	0
Mar	0	1
Apr	1	0
May	2	2
June	0	0
July	0	0
August	0	0
Sep	0	0
Oct	0	0
Nov	41	4
Dec	0	1
2023	Jan	0	2
Feb	0	0
Mar	1	1
Apr	0	0
May	0	0
June	0	0
July	0	1
August	2	1

Note: Graph was prepared by CERIPP using data from the WHO Disease Outbreak News (DON) and Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health. This graph reflects data available as of July 31, 2023. The data integrates CERIPP real-time reporting with WHO DON retrospective reporting of MERS-CoV cases and deaths. In November 2022, the WHO published a DON article that updated their counts with retrospective cases and deaths, which resulted in an increase of an additional 5 cases and 41 deaths compared to their previous MERS-CoV-related DON. In August 2023, the WHO published a DON article with case information for three retrospective MERS-CoV cases and two deaths. These three cases and one death were already reflected in the cumulative case count of the DON article published in July 2023, as well as the case totals published in HERP Bulletin #79.

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Date modified:: 2023-09-12

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