# 8204
The World Health Organization’s Western Pacific Region Office (WPRO), has released a lengthy situation update on the H7N9 virus this morning, which I’ve reproduced in part below. Follow the link for additional resources.
Human Infection with Avian Influenza A(H7N9)
Situation update as of 22 January 2014
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has been officially notified by the China health authorities of more than forty additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, since 1 January 2014.
- WHO expects to continue to see sporadic cases of H7N9 in people.
- At this stage, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.
- Given the population movement prior to Lunar New Year and potentially unpredictable behaviour of influenza viruses, continued vigilance and close monitoring are needed.
- WHO’s advice to the public is to continue to practice good hygiene and handle food properly.
- WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied.
Situation update as of 17 January 2014
During the reporting period 10 to 17 January 2014, 31 cases (3 deaths) of human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus were reported from China in the Western Pacific Region. Among the 31 cases, the median age was 48 years, ranging from 20-79 years, with a male to female ratio of 2.1:1.
Other relevant findings
In addition, during the reporting period 10 to 17 January 2014, China’s Ministry of Agriculture reported the presence of A(H7N9) in birds and in the environment from Guangdong and Zhejiang Provinces in December 2013.
- Zhejiang Province (4 sampling sites); 7 serological specimens out of 85 sampled tested positive (8.24%) and 18 pathological specimens out of 200 sampled tested positive (9.00%). The pathological specimens were from Sanliting Agriculture Products Market (6 oral/cloacal swabs, 2 environmental faecal swabs); Central Agriculture Products Market (2 oral/cloacal swabs, 1 environmental faecal swab); Fenghuangshan Agriculture Products Market (1 oral/cloacal swab); and Guoqing Poultry Wholesale Market (3 oral/cloacal swabs, 3 environmental faecal swabs).
- Guangdong Province (151 sampling sites); 0 serological specimens out of 2 192 sampled tested positive (0.00%) and 2 pathological specimens out of 2 521 sampled tested positive (0.08%). The pathological specimens were from: Muai Agriculture Products Market (1 oral/cloacal swab); and Yuhuan Agriculture Products Market (1 oral/cloacal swab).
Meanwhile Jiangxi Province (pathological specimens); Tianjin City, Hebei and Henan Provinces (serological specimens); Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Fujian, Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Qinghai, Xinjiang Provinces and Chongqing and Shanghai Cities (both specimens) tested negative.
http://www.syj.moa.gov.cn/dwyqdt/jczt/201401/t20140114_3738212.htm
http://www.syj.moa.gov.cn/dwyqdt/jczt/201401/t20140114_3738521.htm
http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=Ma pFullEventReport&reportid=14649
http://www.gzwst.gov.cn/front/web/showDetail/5767There was another report of confirmed presence of A(H7N9) in environmental samples from Guangdong Province. Guangzhou City CDC detected A(H7N9) virus nucleic acid on 7 January 2013, in 3 out of 17 samples collected from the kitchen of a restaurant in Haizhu District, Guangzhou City, from the chopping board and sewage water. A human A(H7N9) case reported on 6 January (male, 47 years old) had delivered live poultry to the restaurant. Meanwhile, Guangdong Provincial CDC detected A(H7N9) virus nucleic acid in 8 out of 34 environmental monitoring samples collected from the Longbei Market, Jinping District, Shantou City.
http://www.gzcdc.org.cn/news/monitor/201401/content_1470.htmNingbo City in Zhejiang Province has temporarily suspended the transfer of commercial live birds from outside into the city and Shanghai City will suspend live bird trade all over the City from 31 January 2014 to 30 April 2014. During the suspension period, all live poultry from other provinces are not allowed to come in to the City and trade, except for the transport to the City's live poultry slaughterhouse for centralized slaughter.
http://www.fjphb.gov.cn/xlist.aspx?ctlgid=246246
http://www.gdwst.gov.cn/a/zwxw/To date, there has been no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. It is expected that there may be further sporadic cases of human infection with the virus. Affected provinces and municipalities continue to maintain surveillance and response activities.
WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it recommend any travel restrictions be applied. WHO continues to work closely with national authorities and technical partners to gain a better understanding of this disease in humans and will continue to provide updated information as the situation evolves.
For more information on human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, visit:
