WHO Risk Assessment On H7N9 – January 21st

1st & 2nd Wave of H7N9 – WHO Risk Assessment

 

 

# 8207

 

My thanks to @lisaschnirring for tweeting the link to the World Health Organization’s latest risk assessment on the H7N9 virus.   Among the highlights, this month’s assessment finds:

 

• the HA and NA genes remain similar to the viruses isolated during the first wave
• human infection appears to be associated with exposure to live poultry or contaminated environments
• Information to date does not support sustained human-to-human transmission.
• the H7N9 virus is expected to be sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors

 

I’ve included some excerpts, but follow the link to read the document in its entirety.

 

WHO RISK ASSESSMENT

Human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus
21 January 2014

Summary of surveillance and investigation findings

Human cases of influenza A(H7N9) virus infection to date 

Laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus have been reported so far to WHO by the China National Health and Family Planning Commission, the Centre for Health Protection, China, Hong Kong SAR, and the Taipei Centers for Disease Control (Taipei CDC).  The cases occurred in an initial wave (n=133) from February to May 2013, then two cases were reported in July and August, and since October 2013 a second wave of human cases has been occurring (n=74 thus far) (fig 1)1 . Cases have been reported in both men and women, and across a wide range of ages. In the first wave most cases have occurred in middle-aged or older men. The age distribution in the second wave thus far is not as skewed to older adult age groups; only one child and no teenagers have been affected. The mean age is slightly lower in the second wave (52 versus 58 years) than in the first wave. Infections in men are still more frequently reported than in women.

Based on current information, the case fatality rate (CFR) during the second wave is yet not equalling the CFR of the first wave. This needs to be monitored closely, as many patients are still hospitalised. Although milder cases have been reported, the clinical presentation of the reported H7N9 virus infection remains primarily rapidly progressing severe pneumonia. Atypical clinical presentation for influenza has not been reported. 

<SNIP>

Risk assessment
This 21 January 2014 risk assessment has been prepared in accordance with WHO’s published recommendations for rapid risk assessment of acute public health events and will be updated as more information becomes available. 

Overall, the public health risk from avian influenza A(H7N9) virus has not changed since the previous assessment published on 20 December 20133

(Continue . . . )

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