To understand the external environmental dynamic distribution and human infection characteristics of H7 subtype avian influenza virus in Jiangxi Province, so as to provide basis for scientific prevention and control of avian influenza.

The surveillance information of avian influenza in the external environment of Jiangxi Province from 2013 to 2022 and the data of human infection with H7 subtype avian influenza were systematically collected and analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods.

A total of 15 535 external environment samples were collected from 2013 to 2022, and the positive rate of H7 subtype was 1.85% (287/15 535). Positive samples were detected for 9 consecutive years since 2014, and the annual positive rate showed a downward trend as a whole (χ²_trend=2.168, P=0.231). The positive rate of H7 subtype in the external environment of Ganzhou city (2.96%), Nanchang city (2.77%) and Jiujiang city (2.66%) was higher, and there was significant difference in the positive rate among different regions (χ²=70.145 P < 0.001). The peak of positive rate was mainly in winter and spring (64.11%), and there was significant difference in different seasons (χ²=69.280, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the positive rate among different types of samples (χ²=16.948, P=0.005). A total of 52 cases of H7 subtype avian influenza were reported in Jiangxi Province from 2013 to 2022, mainly farmers, retirees, and migrant workers, accounting for 76.92%of cases over 45 years old. The time of onset was mainly in winter and spring, and 76.92% of the cases had history of poultry exposure. There was no significant correlation between the number of H7N9 avian influenza cases and the positive rate of H7 subtype in different months (Spearman coefficient = 0.515, P=0.087).

Although the positive rate of H7 subtype in the external environment of Jiangxi Province is low, the risk of human infection still exists. Etiological surveillance and comprehensive prevention and control measures should be carried out continuously to reduce the potential risk of human infection.