Seven Cases of Human Infection With H7N9 Virus are Reported to WHO

The National Health and Family Planning Commission of China has notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of seven additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, including one death.
 
Details of the three cases reported to WHO on Feb. 9, 2014 are as follows:

A 53-year-old man from Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province, who became ill on February 1 and was admitted to the hospital on February 8. He is currently in severe condition.

A 61-year-old, man from Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on January 29 and was admitted to the hospital on February 2. He is currently in critical condition.

A 38-year-old man from Shaoyang City, Hunan Province , who became ill on January 27 and was admitted to the hospital on February 2. He is currently in critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to live poultry.
 
Details of the cases including one death, reported to WHO on Feb. 10, 2014 are as follows:

An 81-year-old woman from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on January 31 and was admitted to the hospital on February 7. She died on the same day. The patient had a history of exposure to live poultry.

An 11-year-old boy from Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on February 5 and went to the hospital on the same day. He is currently in stable condition. The patient has a history of exposure to live poultry.

A 68-year-old farmer from Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on February 5 and was admitted to the hospital on February 7. He is currently in severe condition. The patient has a history of exposure to live poultry.

A 66-year-old man from Anqing Prefecture, Anhui Province, who became ill on 1 February and was admitted to the hospital on February 7. He is currently in critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to live poultry.
 
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 neighboring areas, especially given expected increases in the trade and transport of poultry associated with the Lunar New Year.

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 feces 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