WHO Issues Update on Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus

The National Health and Family Planning Commission in China has notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of an additional retrospectively detected laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

The patient is a 15-year-old boy reported from Jiangsu who became ill on April 25, 2013 and hospitalized on April 26, 2013. He recovered and was discharged on May 2, 2013. The results of molecular diagnostics were positive for H3N2 seasonal influenza virus and H7N9 avian influenza virus. On July 1, 2013, Jiangsu Provincial Health Department consulted national and provincial experts for diagnosis.

To date, WHO has been informed of a total of 133 laboratory-confirmed cases, including 43 deaths.

Authorities in affected locations continue to maintain surveillance, epidemiological investigations, close contact tracing, clinical management, laboratory testing and sharing of samples as well as prevention and control measures.

So far, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. Until the source of infection has been identified and controlled, it is expected that there will be further cases of human infection with the virus.

Source: WHO