# 8077
In a follow up to a blog I wrote earlier this morning (see Guangdong Province Reports Another H7N9 Infection) regarding a new H7N9 case detected in Yangjiang City, roughly 240 km from Hong Kong, we now have the following statement from Hong Kong’s Centre For Health Protection.
Notification of confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Guangdong
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has been notified by the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province of a confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) today (December 16) affecting a 65-year-old woman in Yangjiang, Guangdong Province.
The patient is currently in critical condition. Her sample tested positive for the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus by the relevant health authority of Guangdong Province and the diagnosis was confirmed today.
To date, a total of 142 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been laboratory confirmed in the Mainland, including Zhejiang (51 cases), Shanghai (33 cases), Jiangsu (28 cases), Jiangxi (six cases), Fujian (five cases), Anhui (four cases), Henan (four cases), Guangdong (four cases), Shandong (two cases), Hunan (two cases), Beijing (two cases), and Hebei (one case).
A spokesman for the DH remarked that the CHP is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining close liaison with the Mainland health authorities for case details, as well as keeping a close eye on the latest advice from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Travellers, especially those returning from avian influenza A(H7N9)-affected areas and provinces, with fever or respiratory symptoms are reminded to immediately wear facial masks, seek medical attention, and reveal their travel history to doctors. Health-care professionals should also pay special attention to patients who might have had contact with birds, poultry or their droppings in affected areas.
In response to the human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in the Mainland, port health measures have been implemented at all border control points and health information is being disseminated to travellers through various means including display of posters on avian influenza A(H7N9) in departure and arrival halls, distribution of health education pamphlets, in-flight announcements, enhanced environmental health inspection, provision of regular updates to travel industries via meetings and correspondence, surveillance of sick travellers and referral of suspected cases to public hospitals for further investigation.
The spokesman also urged travellers not to visit wet markets with live poultry in the affected areas and to avoid direct contact with poultry, birds and their droppings. If contact has been made, they should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water.
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Ends/Monday, December 16, 2013
Issued at HKT 22:06
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