New Cases of Human Infection with Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus are Reported to the WHO

As of April 19, 2013, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of an additional four laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus from Jiangsu (one case) and Zhejiang (three cases). No additional deaths have been reported.

The details of these four cases are as follows:
- A 54-year-old male from Jiangsu Province, became ill on April 9, 2013 and was hospitalized on April 15, 2013. He is currently in critical condition. On April 17, 2013, he was laboratory confirmed.
- A 43-year-old male from Zhejiang Province became ill on April 12, 2013 and was hospitalized on April 15, 2013. He was laboratory confirmed on April 18, 2013.
- A 48-year-old male from Zhejiang Province became ill on April 211, 013 and was hospitalized on April 17, 2013. He was laboratory confirmed on April 19, 2013.
- A 66-year-old female from Zhejiang Province with a history of exposure to live poultry had an onset of illness on April 10, 2013. She was hospitalized on April 17, 2013 and was laboratory confirmed on April 19, 2013.
 
To date, there are a total of 91 laboratory confirmed human cases with influenza A(H7N9) virus including 17 fatalities in China reported from four provinces: Anhui, Henan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and two municipalities: Beijing 1 and Shanghai.

Currently, 67 patients are hospitalized and seven have been discharged.

So far, there is no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission.

The WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied.

At the invitation of the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, WHO has convened a team of experts who will visit areas affected by avian influenza A(H7N9) in China in order to provide recommendations on the prevention and control of the disease.

For more details from the WHO on the latest number of cases, CLICK HERE.

Source: WHO