Two New Cases of Human Infection with H7N9 Virus Reported to WHO
On Dec. 18, 2013, the National Health and Family Planning Commission, China 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 62-year-old man from Guangdong Province. He became ill on Dec. 11, 2013 and was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 16, 2013. He is currently in critical condition. He has a history of exposure to live poultry. The second patient is 38-year-old man from Guangdong Province. He became ill on Dec. 9, 2013 and was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 18, 2013. He is currently in critical condition. 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. Additionally an 80-year-old male reported earlier by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Hong Kong SAR, China died on Dec. 26, 2013. So far, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. 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
