Research Progress on Avian Influenza A Virus Subtype H10N8

It was found for the first time at the end of 2013 in China that avian influenza A virus subtype H10N8 could infect human beings and result in death. No such a case has been reported in other parts of the world. Similarly to H7N9, H10N8 AIV is less pathogenic in poultry. However, when an H10N8 virus infects a human being, the virus can become highly pathogenic. A person infected with an H10N8 AIV deteriorated quickly and the mortality rate is high, and H10N8 infection poses a great threat to human health. At present there are no effective means to prevent and control H10N8 AIV infection. It is currently not clear how an H10N8 AIV is transmitted to humans. There are great concerns in public whether an H10N8 AIV will cause another outbreak in humans. This article will briefly describe the characteristics of H10N8 subtype viruses and the current research on these viruses.