Photo Credit – FAO
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For reasons that are not entirely clear – but that many have attributed to warmer summer temperatures and the mass closure of live poultry markets – China’s spring H7N9 outbreak had lost steam and dissipated by the middle of May.
The source of this outbreak, which infected at least 132 individuals and produced 37 deaths (see WHO Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update) has never been determined, but a substantial portion of these infections appeared to be linked to live poultry markets.
While only a handful of market birds ever tested positive for the virus, one of the first steps taken in Shanghai - and across much of Eastern China - was to shutter all of their live poultry markets.
Within weeks the number of new cases had dropped precipitously, seemingly confirming the wisdom of this decision.
Today, roughly 10 weeks after they were first closed, Shanghai allowed the reopening of roughly 200 (of their 461) live markets. Chickens, pigeons, and quail may be sold (but not ducks & geese), and strict daily disinfections are required.
China’s health authorities (and indeed, the rest of the world) will be watching closely to see if this limited, highly regulated, re-opening of markets reintroduces the virus to the community.
Given that avian flu viruses historically spread best in cooler weather, the real test for these new poultry market regulations may not come until next winter and spring.
This from today’s Shanghai Daily.
Live poultry marts reopen as H7N9 bird flu ban lifted
By Ke Jiayun | 2013-6-20 |LIVE poultry will be allowed for sale in local markets starting today, almost 10 weeks after the city imposed a ban to prevent the spread of H7N9 bird flu.
Live chickens, pigeons and quails will be for sale, while live ducks and geese still are prohibited, officials said yesterday. They did not say when other types of live poultry might be sold.
Retail outlets qualified to sell live poultry must follow regulations strictly and disinfect their spaces regularly. The stores will be separated from the other sections of markets and have their own entrances.
The number of live poultry retail stores in the city will shrink from 461 before the outbreak to 200. One of the three main wholesale poultry markets will remain closed while the two others, in the Pudong New Area and Songjiang District, will reopen after test results are accepted by authorities.
The city is considering cutting back on live poultry sales every year between Spring Festival and the end of April. A preliminary proposal would ask designated retail outlets to close one day per week, while wholesale markets would close one or two days a week.
