Chinese Woman Dies from Rare Strain of Bird Flu, 10N8

An elderly Chinese woman has allegedly passed away from what health officials believe to be an extremely rare form of the avian flu.

Officials note that the 73-year-old was infected with the strain known as H10N8 earlier this month. After she was hospitalized on November 30, she died shortly after on December 6 due to respiratory failure. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed her infection.

"According to expert analysis, initial assessments consider the death as an individual case, and risk of human infection is low," said the organization, via a release, according to CNN.

The patient was from the Jiangxi providence and had a history of coming in contact with live poultry. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), she had gone to a live poultry market just a few days before where the illness is believed to have manifested.

She suffered from severe pneumonia, high blood pressure, heart disease and a muscular weakness condition from the extremely rare virus. However, officials note that at this time, the possibility of widespread infection from H10N8 is not a threat for area residents.

Though this virus is rare, H10N8 has been detected in some live poultry markets in areas of the Guangdong Providence and in the Dongting Lake wetlands back in 1965. In 2010, some Australian workers also tested positive for mild infections.

At this time, officials warn that the Avian Influenza, H&N9, currently poses a greater risk for citizens in the area. To date, over 100 people have been infected by it and 45 have died since the virus was first reported in China in March 2013.

Health authorities stress the importance of hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and avoiding contact with live birds at this time. This can help prevent the virus and other illnesses, as well.