Wednesday, December 24, 2014

WHO H7N9 Update – China

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# 9484

 

The World Health Organization has posted a list of 11 recent H7N9 cases reported to them by the Chinese government as of December 16th.  Of particular note: All 11 had onset dates between November 14th and December 1st, 8 of the 11 are male, and the youngest patient was 27.


While there are open questions regarding the actual incidence of mild, or even asymptomatic infection, among those sick enough to be hospitalized (and therefore tested), cases are continue to run overwhelmingly male and older.

 

 

Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China

Disease outbreak news
24 December 2014

On 16 December 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 11 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, including 5 deaths.

Details of the cases are as follows
  • A 75-year-old male from Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province who developed symptoms on 11 November. The patient was admitted to hospital on 14 November but died on 25 November. The patient had history of exposure to live poultry.
  • A 68-year-old male from Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region who developed symptoms on 14 November. The patient was admitted to hospital on 21 November but died on 24 November. The patient had history of exposure to live poultry.
  • A 45-year-old male from Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region who developed symptoms on 15 November. The patient was admitted to hospital on 19 November but died on 27 November. The patient had history of exposure to live poultry.
  • A 59-year-old female from Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province who developed symptoms on 17 November. The patient was admitted to hospital on 22 November and is now in severe condition. The patient has history of exposure to live poultry.
  • A 31-year-old female from Dongguan City, Guangdong Province who developed symptoms on 22 November. The patient was admitted to hospital on 25 November and is now in severe condition. The patient has history of exposure to live poultry.
  • An 81-year-old female from Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region who developed symptoms on 24 November. The patient was admitted to hospital on 27 November but died on 1 December. The patient had history of exposure to live poultry.
  • A 66-year-old male from Meizhou City, Guangdong Province who developed symptoms on 25 November. The patient was admitted to hospital on 27 November but died on 3 December. The patient had history of exposure to live poultry.
  • A 36-year-old male from Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province who developed symptoms on 26 November. The patient did not require hospitalization and is now in mild condition. The patient has history of exposure to live poultry.
  • A 27-year-old male from Fuzhou City, Fujian Province who developed symptoms on 26 November. The patient was admitted to hospital on 1 December and is now in severe condition. The patient has history of exposure to live poultry.
  • A 38-year-old male from Minghang District, Shanghai City who developed symptoms on 28 November. The patient was admitted to hospital on 1 December and is now in severe condition. The patient has history of exposure to live poultry.
  • A 65-year-old male from Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region who developed symptoms on 1 December. The patient was admitted to hospital on 1 December and is now in severe condition. The patient did not recall history of direct exposure to live poultry.
The Chinese Government has taken the following surveillance and control measures
  • Strengthen surveillance and situation analysis
  • Reinforce case management and medical treatment
  • Conduct risk communication with the public and release information.

WHO continues to closely monitor the H7N9 situation and conduct risk assessment. So far, the overall risk associated with the H7N9 virus has not changed.

(Continue . . .)