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

From Feb. 14, 2014 through Feb. 16, 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, including one death.

Details of the cases reported on February 14 are as follows:

A 78-year-old man from Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on February 7 and was admitted to the hospital the same day. He died on February 14.

A 66-year-old woman from Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on January 27 and was admitted to the hospital on February 8. She is currently in critical condition.

Details of the cases reported on February 15 are as follows:

A 14-year-old schoolgirl from Anqing City, Anhui Province, who became ill on February 12 and visited a hospital on February 13 and was then transferred to another hospital.

A 46-year-old farmer from Loudi City, Hunan Province, who became ill on January 31 and visited a doctor the same day. He was admitted to the hospital on February 12.

A 4-year-old kindergarten girl from Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on February 11 and was admitted to the hospital the same day.

A 79-year-old farmer from Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on February 4 and was admitted to the hospital the same day. He is currently in critical condition.

Details of the cases reported on February 16 are as follows:

An 84-year-old man from Huaian City, Jiangsu Province, who became ill on February 4, and visited a community health center and then admitted to the hospital on February 9. He is currently in severe condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

A 63-year-old farmer from Hefei City, Anhui Province, who became ill on February 9 and was treated at a hospital on February 13 and transferred to another hospital on February 15. He is currently in severe condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

A 44-year-old man from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on February 3 and was admitted to the hospital on February 10 and transferred to another hospital later. He is currently in severe condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

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 travellers 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. Travelers 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 travelling 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