WHO: The DON Patrol

Credit WHO

 

 

# 9814

 

Amid the flurry of news reports and studies released yesterday, we also saw three World Health Organization DONs (Disease Outbreak News) summaries posted – 2 on MERS, and 1 on H7N9 in China. 

While these are follow up reports, and mostly serve to recap cases we’ve already heard about, they do often provide additional details of value.  

 

To view the latest reports, follow the links below:

 

Recent DONs

11 March 2015
Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China

On 9 March 2015, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 59 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, including 17 fatal cases. Onset dates ranged from 21 January to 25 February 2015. Below is a breakdown of the 59 cases included in this notification by epidemiological week of symptom onset:

• Week 4 (19 – 25 January) 5 cases
• Week 5 (26 January – 1 February) 13 cases
• Week 6 (2 – 8 February) 9 cases
• Week 7 (9 – 15 February) 15 cases
• Week 8 (16 – 22 February) 14 cases
• Week 9 (24 – 25 February) 3 cases

Of these 59 cases, 44 (75%) were male. The majority (49 cases, 83%) reported exposure to live poultry or live poultry markets; the exposure history of six cases is unknown or unavailable. Three family clusters were reported, each comprised of two cases; four of the six cases had exposure to live poultry or live poultry markets, one case had no exposure to poultry, and one case is still under investigation. Cases were reported from nine provinces: Anhui (4), Fujian (1), Guangdong (35), Guizhou (1), Hunan (2), Jiangsu (3), Jiangxi (1), Shanghai (1), and Zhejiang (11).

 

 

11 March 2015
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Qatar

On 9 March 2015, the IHR National Focal Point of Qatar notified WHO of 1 additional case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection.

 

 

11 March 2015
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia

Between 26 February and 2 March 2015, the National IHR Focal Point for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified WHO of 18 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including 5 deaths. Cases are listed by date of reporting, with the most recent case listed first.