# 9672
Although it has long been considered likely to happen at some point, the recent importation of two cases of H7N9 into Canada has highlighted the risks of seeing H7N9 (or MERS-CoV, or one of the growing number of emerging novel flu subtypes), making its way out of China (or the Middle East) and flying practically anyplace else in the world.
In addition to Canada, H7N9 cases have already been exported to Taiwan, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
The ECDC has released an updated Rapid Risk Assessment, along with the following press release, that looks at the potential for seeing H7N9 arrive in Europe.
Although its case counts, graphs and charts are already out of date due to the bulk announcement this morning of 49 recent cases from mainland China, this RRA contains a lot of good information and is worth reviewing in its entirety.
Sporadic A(H7N9) cases imported from China possible but community-level spread unlikely
04 Feb 2015
The first two cases of A(H7N9) in North America following travel to China highlight the possibility that imported cases to Europe are possible but community-level spread following importation is unlikely as the virus does not transmit easily among people. ECDC has updated its rapid risk assessment in light of this even but the main conclusions are not altered.
On 26 January 2015, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced the detection of influenza A(H7N9) infection in a resident of British Columbia upon return from China. The case was diagnosed through routine testing while attending a general practice with mild flu symptoms. On the 29 January 2015, a second case, with the same travel history and close contact to the first case, tested positive for influenza A(H7N9). Neither case required hospitalisation and both are recovering at home.
Since the notification of a novel reassortant influenza A(H7N9) virus on 31 March 2013, a total of 488 laboratory confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, including 185 deaths, have been reported, the vast majority in China.
Live poultry markets
The majority of recently reported human cases are associated with exposure to infected live poultry or contaminated environments, including markets where live poultry are sold. Influenza A(H7N9) viruses continue to be detected in poultry and their environments in the areas where human cases are occurring. Information to date does not support sustained human-to-human transmission.At present, the most immediate threat to EU citizens is to those living or visiting influenza A(H7N9)-affected areas in China. It is advisable to avoid live bird markets and contact with live poultry and avoid consuming raw or incompletely cooked meat products and eggs.
Community-level spread in following importation into Europe is unlikely as the virus does not transmit easily among people. Nonetheless, travellers developing severe respiratory or flu-like symptoms within ten days after travel to affected areas and exposure to poultry or untreated poultry products in China should be rapidly managed and appropriately sampled for influenza testing.
Rapid Risk Assessment: Human infection with influenza virus A(H7N9) virus
Sample graphics from the ECDC RRA report.
