Two New Cases of Human Infection with H7N9 are Reported to WHO

The National Health and Family Planning Commission in China has notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of two new laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

The first patient is a 3-year-old boy from Guangdong Province who had contact with live poultry. He became ill on Oct. 29, 2013, was admitted to a local hospital on Oct. 31, 2013, and transferred to another hospital on Nov. 4, 2013. He is currently in a stable condition.

The second patient is a 64-year-old woman from Zhejiang Province who is a farmer and had contact with live poultry. She became ill on  Oct. 30, 2013, was admitted to a local hospital on Oct. 31, 2013, and was transferred to another hospital on Nov. 3, 2013. She is currently in a critical condition.

To date, WHO has been informed of a total of 139 laboratory-confirmed human cases with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection including 45 deaths. Currently, six patients are hospitalized and 88 have been discharged. So far, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.

The Chinese government has taken the following surveillance and control measures:
- strengthening of epidemic surveillance and analysis;
- deployment of medical treatment;
- conducting public risk communication and information dissemination;
- strengthening international cooperation and exchanges; and
is continuing to carry out scientific research.

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