Six Additional Cases of Human Infection with H7N9 Virus are Reported to WHO

On Jan. 13, 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of six additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, and the death of a previously reported case.

Details of the cases are as follows:
- 34-year-old man from Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province who became ill on Jan. 1 and was admitted to the hospital on Jan. 10. He is currently in a serious condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

- 78-year-old man from Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province who became ill on Jan. 3 and was admitted to the hospital later that day and later transferred to another hospital on Jan. 9. He is currently in a critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

- 59-year-old woman from Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province who became ill on Jan. 5 and was admitted to the hospital on Jan. 9. She is currently in a serious condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

- 46-year-old man from Foshan City, Guangdong Province who became ill on Jan. 6 and was admitted to the hospital on Jan. 9. He is currently in a critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

- 41-year-old woman from Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province who became ill on Jan. 7 and was admitted to the hospital on Jan. 11. She is currently in a serious condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.

- 28-year old woman from Foshan City, Guangdong Province who became ill on Jan. 8 and was admitted to the hospital on Jan. 12. She has a mild illness. The patient is employed in the poultry sales industry.
 
Additionally, a 65-year-old man reported earlier by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Hong Kong SAR, China, died on Jan. 13.

The source of infection is still under investigation. So far, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.

The Chinese government continues to take the following 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.
 
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.

Source: WHO