Beijing CDC - Three More Locally Acquired H7N9 Cases

Credit FAO - North South Dividing Line Added

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Up until a few weeks ago Beijing had been largely exempt from H7N9  - reporting only 9 cases over the first four epidemic waves - with most of those imported from neighboring provinces. 

As the (slightly edited) FAO map above illustrates, H7N9 has only rarely been reported above the 38th parallel, leaving the residents (and ruling elite) in Beijing feeling safely removed from what has been largely viewed as a `Southern' problem in China.

Less than 3 weeks ago (April 1st), Beijing was reporting just 2 cases for this 5th epidemic wave, both imported (from Hebei & Liaonging Provinces).

As of two days ago, that number had abruptly jumped to 10, with 6 imported cases, and 4 locally acquired infections (see Beijing CDC - Now Reporting 10 H7N9 Cases In 5th Epidemic Wave).

Today, Beijing's CDC has announced three more locally acquired cases, all reportedly with recent contact with poultry.

Focusing on the prevention of H7N9 protection, do not panic

Published: 2017-04-20
Source: Advocacy Center - CDC    

Yesterday the city has added one case of H7N9 cases. Up to now, since January 2017, the city reported a total of 13 cases of H7N9 cases, including seven cases to local cases, six cases of imported cases. Were found in seven cases of local patients live or live bird market exposure history (3 patients had history of exposure to birds died), wherein ago, five cases of live poultry from later onset cases of the street vendors, the final two cases of live poultry in the survey source still lookup.

H7N9 virus in our country belong to B infectious diseases, according to the WHO announcement, there is no evidence that the H7N9 virus sustainable interpersonal communication, the public need not panic, prevention of H7N9, the most important thing is to reduce exposure, good personal protection, to develop good health habits. The Beijing Center for Disease Control to remind you:

        1, to avoid contact with livestock, poultry found dead not to be thrown away, disposed of, must promptly report animal diseases department;
        2, do not buy itinerant traders, farmers' markets and fairs of live poultry; poultry slaughter attention away from the scene, not to eat the meat of sick or dead poultry;
        3, buy chilled poultry regular production from the formal channels, poultry eggs for eating fully cooked fully cooked, and pay attention to separate raw and cooked; after proper preparation and cooking of meat is safe, safe to eat;
        4, poultry farmers such as fever should be timely treatment, and inform the history of exposure to poultry doctors, help doctors diagnose ;
        5, when coughing or sneezing, use surgical masks, paper towels or a cuff or bend the elbow to cover your mouth and nose; the used tissues immediately thrown into a closed trash; wash their hands immediately after contact with respiratory secretions;
        6, diligence hands, pay attention to personal hygiene, especially after handling raw meat, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water; reasonable diet, to ensure adequate nutrition and sleep; pay attention to timely change clothes. There are underlying diseases of the elderly and children not to live bird markets.
        7, do not believe rumors about the epidemic, the epidemic-related information, please visit the Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention official micro-blog, micro-channel and official website.

 
Sharon Sanders of FluTrackers also posted this report, along with two notices from Beijing's Ministry of Agriculture on the investigation of local markets, and a recent H7N9 drill held in the region.

This 5th H7N9 epidemic wave has been notable for several reasons:

1. An unprecedented spike in human infections, nearly doubling in the past 6 months the largest previous yearly tally of cases.
2. The emergence of a new lineage (Yangtze River Delta) of the virus, which has spread rapidly, and has shown subtle changes in behavior (see Eurosurveillance: Preliminary Epidemiology & Analysis Of Jiangsu's 5th H7N9 Wave)
3. The emergence of an HPAI version of H7N9, which also has the ability to infect humans.
4. The geographic expansion of the virus to regions where it has either never (Sichuan, Tibet, Gansu, Yunnan, Chongqing, Macao) or only rarely (Beijing, Liaonging, Guizhou) been reported before. 

While none of these can be viewed as favorable signs, this year's expansion of the virus both north and west adds to the concerns that this virus is becoming more mobile, and could eventually move beyond China's borders (see China's Nervous Neighbors).

Beyond the fact that H7N9 has breached the Capital, the continual spread and evolution of this virus (or more properly, these H7N9 viruses) provides fresh opportunities for the virus to change and adapt going forward. 

Two months after Beijing Ordered The Closure Of Live Bird Markets To Control H7N9 - instead of stalling out as in years past - this year's epidemic continues to hang on. And as an added twist, has recently started turning up in new - previously unaffected - regions.