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We’ve a lengthy GAR (Global Alert & Response) update on the H7N9 virus from the World Health Organization detailing 15 more H7N9 cases reported from mainland China.
Although overall we continue to see a skewing of cases towards older males, over the past 2 days the WHO has announced a total of 21 cases, 2/3rds of which have been female.
The WHO also addresses the recent detection of H7N9 in poultry imported into Hong Kong, and warns that, `Further sporadic human cases of A(H7N9) infection are expected in affected and possibly neighbouring areas, especially given expected increases in the trade and transport of poultry associated with the upcoming Lunar New Year.’
Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update
Disease outbreak news
30 January 2014 - On 29 January 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China notified WHO of 15 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.
Of these 15 cases, 10 are females. The age range among the cases is 31 to 81 years old. The cases are reported from Guangdong (4), Jiangsu (1), Shanghai (1) and Zhejiang Province (9). Thirteen of the cases are currently in a critical or serious condition. Fourteen of the cases are reported to have had exposure to poultry or a live poultry market/environment.
Details of 15 additional cases are as follows:
- A 61-year-old woman cook from Shanghai City who became ill on 6 January. She was admitted to hospital on 20 January. She is currently in a critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.
- A 66-year-old woman from Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on 15 January. She was admitted to hospital on 17 January. She is currently in a critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
- A 71-year-old woman from Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on 12 January. She was admitted to hospital on 18 January. She is currently in a critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
- A 71-year- old farmer from Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on 13 January. He was admitted to hospital on 19 January, and was transferred to another hospital on 21 January 2014. He is currently in a serious condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
- A 59-year- old man from Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on 18 January. He was admitted to hospital on 20 January and was transferred to another hospital on 22 January. He is currently in a serious condition. He has a history of exposure to poultry.
- A 63-years-old woman farmer from Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on 11 January. She was admitted to hospital on 15 January and was transferred to another hospital on 18 January 2014. She is currently in a critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.
- A 34-year- old woman from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on 10 January. She was admitted to hospital on 20 January 2014, and was transferred to another hospital on 21 January 2014. She is currently in a critical condition.
- A 53-year- old man from Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province, who became ill on 22 January. He was admitted to hospital on 26 January. He is currently in a serious condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
- A 43-year-old woman farmer from Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on 23 January. She was admitted to hospital on the same day. She has a mild illness. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
- An 81-year-old farmer from Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on 21 January. He was admitted to hospital on 23 January. He is currently in a critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.
- A 63-year-old woman farmer from Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on 22 January. She was admitted to hospital on 24 January and was transferred to another hospital on 26 January 2014. She is currently in a serious condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry environment.
- A 57-year-old man from Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, who became ill on 15 January. He was admitted to hospital on 23 January. He has a mild illness. The patient has a history of exposure to poultry.
- A 43-year-old woman from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on 17 January. She was admitted to hospital on 26 January. She is currently in a serious condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
- A 41-year-old woman from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on 20 January. She was admitted to hospital on 26 January. She is currently in a critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
- A 31-year-old woman from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, who became ill on 16 January. She was admitted to hospital on 23 January 2014. She is currently in a critical condition. The patient has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
So far, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.
The Chinese government continues to take the following measures:
- strengthen surveillance and situation analysis;
- reinforce case management and treatment;
- conduct risk communication with the public and release information;
- strengthen international collaboration and communication; and
- conduct scientific studies.
(Continue . . .)
