First New Case of Human Infection with H7N9 Virus Reported Since August

The National Health and Family Planning Commission in China has notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of a new laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. This is the first new confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus since Aug. 11, 2013.

The patient is a 35-year-old man from Zhejiang Province. He was admitted to a hospital on Oct. 8, 2013 and is in a critical condition. Additionally, a previously laboratory-confirmed patient from Hebei has died.

To date, WHO has been informed of a total of 136 laboratory-confirmed human cases with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection including 45 deaths. Currently, three patients are hospitalized and 88 have been discharged. So far, there is no evidence of sustainable human-to-human transmission.

The Chinese government continues to take strict monitoring, prevention and control measures, including: strengthening of epidemic surveillance and analysis; deployment of medical treatment; conducting public risk communication and information dissemination; strengthening international cooperation and exchanges; and is continuing to carry out scientific research.

Source: WHO