14 New Cases of Human Infection with H7N9 Virus are Reported to WHO
On Feb. 2, 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus including one death.
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Details of the cases are as follows:
A 44-year-old man from Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on Januar 28y and was admitted to the hospital on January 31. He is currently in serious condition. The patient has a history of exposure to live poultry.
A 8-year-old girl from Yongzhou City, Hunan Province, who became ill on January 30 and was admitted to the hospital on January 31. She is currently in serious condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
A 35-year-old man from Xiamen City, Fujian Province, who became ill on January 27 and was admitted to the hospital on February 1. He is currently in serious condition. The patient has a history of exposure to live poultry.
A 37-year-old man from Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on January 26 and was admitted to the hospital on January 29 and then transferred to the another hospital on January 30. He is in critical condition. He has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
A 63-year-old man from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on January 27 and was admitted to the hospital on February 1 and died on the same day. The patient had a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
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Details of four cases reported on Feb. 1, 2014 are as follows:
A 80-year-old man from Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on January 19 and was admitted to the hospital on January 30. He is currently in critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to live poultry.
A 54-year-old man from Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on Januar 23 and was admitted to the hospital on January 26. He is currently in critical condition.
A 6-year-old boy who is living in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, and became ill on January 27. He was detected on January 28 by Shenzhen Entry-Exit Quarantine Bureau when traveling through Huanggang Port. He has mild symptoms and is in stable condition. He is currently in isolated treatment at home. The patient has a history of exposure to live poultry.
A 5-year-old boy from Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on January 29 and admitted to the hospital on the same day. He is in a stable condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
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Details of five cases reported on Jan. 31, 2014 are as follows:
A 28-year-old man from Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on January 24 and admitted to the hospital on January 26. He is currently in critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
A 82-year-old man from Foshan City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on January 22 and admitted to the hospital on January 26. He is currently in critical condition.
A 59-year-old man from Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on January 22 and admitted to the hospital on January 26. He died on January 30. The patient had a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
A 81-year-old woman from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on January 25 and admitted to the hospital on January 29. She is currently in serious condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
A 38-year-old male from Yongzhou City, Hunan Province with onset of symptoms on January 24. He was admitted to the hospital on January 30 and is currently in critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
So far, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.
The Chinese government continues to take the following surveillance and control measures: strengthen surveillance and situation analysis; reinforce case management and treatment; conduct risk communication with the public and release information; strengthen international collaboration and communication; and conduct scientific studies.
While the recent report of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus being detected in live poultry imported from the mainland to Hong Kong SAR, shows the potential for the virus to spread through live poultry, at this time there is no indication that international spread of avian influenza A(H7N9) has occurred through humans or animals.
Further sporadic human cases of A(H7N9) infection are expected in affected and possibly neighbouring areas, especially given expected increases in the trade and transport of poultry associated with the Lunar New Year.
Source: WHO
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