# 7186
Earlier today we learned of the first confirmed H7N9 case outside of Mainland China, in Taiwan Confirms First Imported Case Of H7N9. The case involved a 53 year-old man who recently visited Jiangsu Province, and is now hospitalized in critical condition in Taiwan.
Via Jennifer Yang, Global Health reporter for the Toronto Star, we’ve a report that includes reaction from Gregory Hartl, spokesperson for the World Health Organization, regarding the three HWC (Health Care Worker) who have reportedly shown signs of illness after having contact this patient.
A small excerpt from a much larger article:
Taiwanese health authorities are also currently tracking 139 contacts of the sick patient and aside from the three healthcare workers, none have yet to develop any symptoms. Three other health workers who failed to wear protective gear also appear healthy so far.
“Until the healthcare workers are tested, and it’s known for sure whether it’s an H7N9 infection, we can’t speculate,” Hartl said in a telephone interview. “There have been other cases of reported (influenza-like illness) in healthcare workers in mainland China and they’ve all turned out negative.”
While we are always on the lookout for any signs that exposed healthcare workers might be getting infected, this is still cold & flu season in Taiwan, and so upper respiratory symptoms are not uncommon.
We’ll simply have to await laboratory testing (which may require more than one test), before we know the cause of their symptoms.
Follow the link below to read Jennifer’s full article:
Bird flu: Taiwan reports first imported case of ‘one of most lethal viruses’
By: Jennifer Yang Global health reporter, Published on Wed Apr 24 2013
