# 8350
We’ve three new H7N9 cases reported from the Chinese mainland, along with this Hong Kong’s CHP follow-up report on yesterday’s announced imported H7N9 case (see Hong Kong Investigating 6th Imported H7N9 Case); that of an 18-month-old girl who spent much of February in neighboring Guangdong Province.
Thus far, 13 close contacts and 120 other contacts have been identified and are now either under quarantine or medical surveillance, but none have tested positive for the avian flu virus.
The following report describes the epidemiological investigation being conducted on Hong Kong’s latest imported case, after which you’ll find details on the latest cases from China.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 5) provided an update on the sixth confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) affecting an 18-month-old girl.
"The epidemiological investigations, enhanced disease surveillance, port health measures and health education against avian influenza are all ongoing," a spokesman for the DH said.
As of 4pm today, 13 close contacts and 120 other contacts have been identified.
The close contacts included relevant household members of the patient, and patients and two visitors who had stayed in the same room with the patient in Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). Among them, two are symptomatic and one of them tested positive for Influenza A (H1) virus while the other tested negative for Influenza A virus. For the remaining 11 close contacts, six of them tested negative for Influenza A virus while the results for the others are pending. They are now under quarantine.
Other contacts included relevant health-care workers, visitors, immigration staff at Lo Wu, and the doctor and patients of the private clinic which the patient consulted on February 28. Among them, two are symptomatic and one of them tested negative for Influenza A virus while the result for the other is pending. They are all under medical surveillance.
"In view of human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) confirmed locally and multiple cases notified by the Mainland, further cases are expected in affected and possibly neighbouring areas. Those planning to travel outside Hong Kong should maintain good personal, environmental and food hygiene at all times," the spokesman urged.
"All boundary control points have implemented disease prevention and control measures. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks of inbound travellers. Random temperature checks by handheld devices have also been arranged. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up investigation," the spokesman added.
Regarding health education for travellers, display of posters in departure and arrival halls, in-flight public announcements, environmental health inspection and provision of regular updates to the travel industry via meetings and correspondence are proceeding.
The spokesman advised travellers, especially those returning from avian influenza-affected areas and provinces with fever or respiratory symptoms, to immediately wear masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors. Health-care professionals should pay special attention to patients who might have had contact with poultry, birds or their droppings in affected areas and provinces.
"We have enhanced publicity and health education to reinforce health advice on the prevention of avian influenza," the spokesman said.
Additionally, mainland China has announced three new cases today, which are now listed on FluTrackers’ excellent H7N9 line-listing. They are:
#382 - Man, 59, onset February 25, hospitalized March 2 in critical condition in Tai'an City, Shandong province - worker from Jiangsu province
#383 - Man, 36, confirmed on 5 March morning. Before onset involved in live poultry sales. Currently in critical condition, treatment in a Xuzhou hospital. Jiangsu province
#384 - Man, 75, living in Panyu District, Guangzhou City. Due to multiple organ failure died on March 1; confirmed retrospectively on March 3. Guangdong province Death
While we have seen occasional clusters of cases suggestive of limited human-to-human transmission of this virus, thus far we’ve not seen any signs of sustained or efficient transmission in the community.
