#12,939
Hong Kong's CHP today is reporting their notification of the first H7N9 case since September 15th, and the first of what is expected to be the 6th winter epidemic since the virus emerged in the spring of 2013. During China's 5th wave a record 766 cases were reported.
This first case comes from the prefecture-level city of Kunming, in Yunnan Province, roughly 150 miles from the Vietnamese border. A bit surprising since temperatures there during the month of November were often above average (see chart below).
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| Kunming, China - Credit Accuweather |
As we saw from a study last week, Cold-Dry Days Favor H7N9 Transmission, but at the same time we've been seeing H7N9 case reports continue well into the summer during the past couple of waves, sparking concerns the virus might be becoming more `heat tolerant'.
First, we've the official announcement from the Yunnan Province Ministry of Health and Family Planning, followed by the Hong Kong announcement.
Yunnan Province confirmed one case of H7N9 casesToday's CHP notification follows:
[Index: 01510047-20171202-7745] Date: 2017-12-02
Yunnan Health and Family Planning Commission notified: November 30, confirmed one case of H7N9 cases. The patient, male, 64 years old, now living in Kunming Xundian county, more than 10 chickens at home, before the onset of home raised chickens have died phenomenon, live chickens, chicken manure and dead chickens history of exposure. Currently, patients in the hospital for isolation and treatment. All in close contact with the patient are not abnormal, found no human to human. After the outbreak, Health and Family Planning Commission and the Government of Yunnan Province, Kunming provinces and timely mobilization of experts to treat the patient, to carry out epidemic disposal.
Experts suggest that the public in their daily lives should avoid contact with sick or dead poultry, try to avoid direct contact with live birds; if found sick or dead poultry should be reported immediately to the local agricultural department or call the health hotline 12320 (0871-12320); flow from rural areas of the public not to live poultry vendors to purchase live poultry without quarantine certificates and bred; there is history of exposure to poultry and fever and respiratory symptoms should wear a mask, as soon as possible to local medical institutions for treatment, and the initiative to inform poultry exposure history to the doctor.
Source: Office of Emergency
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 2) monitoring a notification from the National Health and Family Planning Commission that an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) was recorded from November 24 to December 1 in Yunnan, and strongly urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The 64-year-old male patient in Kunming, known to have contact with dead poultry, had onset on November 21 and was in a serious condition.
"This is the first human case reported in the Mainland since October 2017. As winter approaches, based on the seasonal pattern of avian influenza (H7N9) viruses, their activity in the Mainland is expected to increase," a spokesman for the CHP said.
Travellers to the Mainland or other affected areas must avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. They should be alert to the presence of backyard poultry when visiting relatives and friends. They should also avoid purchasing live or freshly slaughtered poultry, and avoid touching poultry/birds or their droppings. They should strictly observe personal and hand hygiene when visiting any place with live poultry.
Travellers returning from affected areas should consult a doctor promptly if symptoms develop, and inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment of potential diseases. It is essential to tell the doctor if they have seen any live poultry during travel, which may imply possible exposure to contaminated environments. This will enable the doctor to assess the possibility of avian influenza and arrange necessary investigations and appropriate treatment in a timely manner.
While local surveillance, prevention and control measures are in place, the CHP will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments.
The CHP's Port Health Office conducts health surveillance measures at all boundary control points. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks on inbound travellers. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up.
The display of posters and broadcasting of health messages in departure and arrival halls as health education for travellers is under way. The travel industry and other stakeholders are regularly updated on the latest information.
The public should maintain strict personal, hand, food and environmental hygiene and take heed of the advice below if handling poultry:
The public may visit the CHP's pages for more information: the avian influenza page, the weekly Avian Influenza Report, global statistics and affected areas of avian influenza, the Facebook Page and the YouTube Channel.
- Avoid touching poultry, birds, animals or their droppings;
- When buying live chickens, do not touch them and their droppings. Do not blow at their bottoms. Wash eggs with detergent if soiled with faecal matter and cook and consume the eggs immediately. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling chickens and eggs;
- Eggs should be cooked well until the white and yolk become firm. Do not eat raw eggs or dip cooked food into any sauce with raw eggs. Poultry should be cooked thoroughly. If there is pinkish juice running from the cooked poultry or the middle part of its bone is still red, the poultry should be cooked again until fully done;
- Wash hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, before handling food or eating, and after going to the toilet, touching public installations or equipment such as escalator handrails, elevator control panels or door knobs, or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing; and
- Wear a mask if fever or respiratory symptoms develop, when going to a hospital or clinic, or while taking care of patients with fever or respiratory symptoms.
Ends/Saturday, December 2, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:57NNNN
