Nine Cases of Human Infection with H7N9 Virus are Reported to WHO

On Feb. 20, 2014 and Feb. 21 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of nine additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

Details of the cases reported  on Feb. 20, 2014 are as follows:

A 64-year-old farmer from Shaoyang City, Hunan Province. He became ill on February 9, was admitted to the hospital on February 15 and is currently in critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

A 29-year-old resident from Changsha City, Hunan Province. She became ill on February 8, was admitted to the hospital on February 16 and is currently in critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

A 79-year-old man from Foshan City, Guangdong Province. He became ill on February 10, was admitted to the hospital on February 14 and is currently in severe condition.

A 60-year-old food handler from Xuancheng City, Anhui Province. He became ill on February 13, was admitted to the hospital on February 19 and is currently in critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

An 81-year-old man who lives in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. He became ill on February 7, was admitted to the hospital on February 16 and is currently in critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.
 
Details of the cases reported on Feb. 21, 2014 are as follows:

A 46-year-old woman from Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province,. She became ill on February 13, was admitted to the hospital on February 19 and is currently in a critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

A 64-year-old man from Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. He became ill on February 9, was admitted to the hospital on February 15 and died on February 18.

A 69-year-old man from Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province. He became ill on February 10, was admitted to the hospital on February 18 and is currently in critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

A 50 year-old chicken farm keeper from Jilin Province. He became ill on February 15, was admitted to the hospital on February 19 and is currently in stable condition.

The Chinese government has taken the following surveillance and control measures: strengthen surveillance and situation analysis; reinforce case management and treatment; and conduct risk communication with the public and release information;
 
While the recent report of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus detection in live poultry exported from mainland China to Hong Kong SAR shows the potential for the virus to spread through movement of live poultry, at this time there is no indication that international spread of avian influenza A(H7N9) has occurred. However as the virus infection does not cause signs of disease in poultry, continued surveillance is needed.

Further sporadic human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) infection are expected in affected and possibly neighboring areas, especially given expected increases in the trade and transport of poultry associated with the Lunar New Year.
 
Should human cases from affected areas travel internationally, their infection may be detected in another country during or after arrival. If this were to occur, community level spread is unlikely as the virus does not have the ability to transmit easily among human. Until the virus adapts itself for efficient human-to-human transmission, the risk of ongoing international spread of H7N9 virus by travelers is low.

WHO advises that travelers to countries with known outbreaks of avian influenza should avoid poultry farms, or contact with animals in live bird markets, or entering areas where poultry may be slaughtered, or contact with any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with faeces from poultry or other animals. Travelers should also wash their hands often with soap and water. Travellers should follow good food safety and good food hygiene practices.

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

As always, a diagnosis of infection with an avian influenza virus should be considered in individuals who develop severe acute respiratory symptoms while travellng or soon after returning from an area where avian influenza is a concern.

WHO encourages countries to continue strengthening influenza surveillance, including surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns, in order to ensure reporting of human infections under the IHR (2005), and continue national health preparedness actions.

Source: WHO