Showing posts with label NHFPC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NHFPC. Show all posts

Sunday, January 26, 2014

NHFPC: H7N9 Avian Flu Guidance Update

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# 8224

 

We’ve a long and informative document, released today by China’s NHFPC, providing the latest update and guidance on the H7N9 virus.  This is essentially the `playbook’, issued by the Chinese government, to local health departments, doctors, and hospitals giving them instructions on how to identify, isolate, and treat H7N9 cases.

 

Causing a bit of a stir this morning on twitter, is the section on transmissibility, which reads:

 

(B) transmission. Specific ways to spread through the respiratory tract or close contact with infected poultry infected secretions or excretions obtained; or spread to humans exposed to the virus through environmental contamination; does not exclude limited non-sustained person to person.


While not exactly a revelation, given a small number of suspected family clusters, this is more of an admission as to the possibility of seeing H-2-H transmission than we’ve seen previously.

 

While a machine translation, the following document is surprisingly readable.  First a preface statement, followed by the full document:

 

Office of the National Health and Family Planning Commission on the issuance of people infected with H7N9 avian flu (2014 edition)

National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic 2014-01-26

AXA run medical hair [2014] on the 6th

Provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, health and Family Planning Commission (health bureau), Health Bureau of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps:


To further improve the human infection of H7N9 avian influenza medical treatment, to better guide the various medical institutions at all levels to carry out human infection with H7N9 avian flu clinics standardization work, I Committee formulated the "human infection with H7N9 avian flu ( 2014 edition). " Is issued to you, please refer to the implementation of the actual situation. In the treatment process, pay attention to the antiviral drug resistance, attention to the integrity of the medical instruments.

Office of the National Health and Family Planning Commission
January 24, 2014

People infected with H7N9 avian flu

(2014 edition)

People infected with H7N9 avian influenza is caused by the H7N9 avian influenza virus, acute respiratory infections, which often can be combined cases of severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, multiple organ failure and even. Early discovery, early reporting, early diagnosis, early treatment, strengthening treatment of severe cases, attention both Chinese and Western medicine is an effective prevention and control, improve the cure rate, the key to reducing mortality.

First, the etiology

Avian influenza virus, Orthomyxoviridae Influenza A virus genus. Influenza virus particles were pleomorphic, including spherical diameter 80 ~ 120nm, with envelope. Genome is segmented negative-strand single-stranded RNA. Outer membrane based hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) protein antigen type are currently divided into 16 H subtypes (H1 ~ H16) and 9 N subtypes (N1 ~ N9). In addition to poultry infected with avian influenza viruses, can also infect humans, pigs, horses, mink and marine mammals. Can infect human avian influenza virus subtypes H5N1, H9N2, H7N7, H7N2, H7N3, etc., this is H7N9 avian influenza virus. The virus is a novel reassortant virus, a gene encoding HA from H7N3, NA is derived from the gene encoding H7N9, the 6 internal genes from H9N2 avian influenza virus.

Avian influenza viruses in general are sensitive to heat, low temperature resistant to heat 65 ℃ 30 minutes or boiling (100 ℃) 2 minutes inactivated. The virus can survive at a lower temperature for 1 week at 4 ℃ for the presence of water or in case of glycerol remains active over 1 year.

Second, epidemiological

(A) the source of infection. Now its secretions or excreta in poultry and live bird markets in environmental samples to detect and separate the H7N9 avian influenza virus, and people infected with H7N9 avian influenza virus is highly homologous. Source of infection may carry H7N9 avian influenza virus in poultry. Currently, the majority of sporadic cases, the incidence of individual family aggregation phenomenon, but there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission between the.

(B) transmission. Specific ways to spread through the respiratory tract or close contact with infected poultry infected secretions or excretions obtained; or spread to humans exposed to the virus through environmental contamination; does not exclude limited non-sustained person to person.

(C) high-risk groups. 1 week before the onset of contact with birds or those who have been to live poultry markets, especially the elderly.

Third, pathogenesis and pathology

H7N9 bird flu virus can be combined with sialic acid α-2, 3 receptor (avian influenza virus receptors) and sialic acid α-2, 6 receptor (human influenza virus receptors), more than the H5N1 avian influenza virus and the human respiratory epithelial cells (sialic acid α-2, 6 receptors mainly) binding relative to the seasonal influenza virus infection more easily the human respiratory epithelial cells (sialic acid α-2, 3 receptor-based) . H7N9 avian influenza virus after infection the human body, can induce cytokine storm, leading to systemic inflammation, may appear ARDS, shock and multiple organ failure. Severe respiratory viruses in individual cases to sustainable positive over the course of three weeks.

Fourth, the clinical manifestations

According to the incubation period of influenza and human infection with H7N9 avian influenza existing case findings, the incubation period is generally 3 to 4 days.

(A) symptoms, signs and clinical characteristics. Patients generally showed flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sputum less, may be associated with headache, muscle aches, diarrhea and other symptoms. The rapid development of the disease in patients with severe, mostly in 3 to 7 days of onset of severe pneumonia occurred, mostly sustained temperature above 39 ℃, difficulty in breathing, may be associated with hemoptysis sputum. Often rapidly progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, septic shock, multiple organ dysfunction and even, in some patients, there may be other symptoms of pleural effusion.

(B) laboratory tests.

1 blood. WBC is generally not high or lower. Many patients with severe leukocytes and lymphocytes decreased, may have thrombocytopenia.

2 blood biochemistry. More than a creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, C reactive protein, myoglobin can be increased.

3. Etiology and related testing. Must collect respiratory specimens sent (eg nasopharyngeal secretions, mouth gargle, respiratory secretions, tracheal aspirate) before antiviral therapy, deep endotracheal sputum or tracheal aspirate positive rate detected in the upper respiratory tract specimens. There pathogen detection conditions of medical institutions to detect as soon as possible, no pathogen detection conditions specimens were sent to medical institutions should be designated agencies to detect as soon as possible.

(A) a nucleic acid is detected. Patients with suspected respiratory specimens using real-time PCR (or ordinary RT-PCR) to detect H7N9 avian influenza virus nucleic acid in the human H7N9 avian influenza virus infection early identification of nucleic acid detection should be preferred. Severe cases should be conducted regularly in respiratory secretions nucleic acid detection until overcast. Artificial airway preferred collection airway aspirate (ETA).

(2) influenza virus antigen detection. Respiratory specimens for rapid detection of influenza virus antigen positive. No nucleic acid testing applies only to the conditions of medical institutions as screening experiments.

(3) virus isolation. H7N9 avian influenza virus isolated from the patient's respiratory specimens.

Paired serum H7N9 avian influenza virus-specific antibody levels (4) dynamic detection of acute and convalescent was increased 4-fold or more.

(C) chest radiograph. Pneumonia in patients with pulmonary appears patchy shadows. Patients with severe disease progresses rapidly, often multiple lung and pulmonary consolidation shadow image of glass grinding, can be combined with a small amount of pleural effusion. The event of ARDS, widespread distribution of lesions.

(D) the prognosis. People infected with H7N9 avian influenza in critically ill patients with poor prognosis. Prognostic factors may include patient age, underlying diseases and complications.

Fifth, diagnosis and differential diagnosis

(A) diagnosis. According to epidemiological contact history, clinical and laboratory findings, the diagnosis of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza is made. In the case of epidemiological history is unknown, according to the clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations and laboratory test results, especially in patients with respiratory secretions isolated from specimens of H7N9 avian influenza virus, or H7N9 avian influenza virus nucleic acid testing positive, or motion detection paired serum H7N9 avian influenza virus-specific antibody levels were elevated 4-fold or more, diagnosis of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza may be made.

1. Epidemiological history. 1 week before the onset of contact with poultry and their secretions, excretions or been to live poultry markets, or with people infected with H7N9 avian influenza has an epidemiological link.

2 diagnostic criteria.

(1) suspected cases: compliance with the clinical manifestations, influenza virus antigen positive, or epidemiological history.

(2) confirmed cases: compliance with the clinical manifestations, epidemiology or history of exposure, and respiratory secretions were isolated H7N9 avian influenza virus H7N9 avian influenza virus, or nucleic acid testing or dynamic testing positive paired serum H7N9 avian influenza virus-specific antibody levels were elevated 4-fold or more.

(3) severe cases:

Any one of the following criteria, namely diagnosed as severe cases:

1.X-ray showed multiple lobe lesions within 48 hours or disease progression> 50%;

2 dyspnea, respiratory rate> 24 beats / min;

3 severe hypoxemia, oxygen flow at 3 to 5 liters / min Condition patient SpO 2 ≤ 92%;

4 shock, ARDS or MODS (multiple organ dysfunction syndrome).

Prone to develop severe risk factors include:

1 Age> 60 years;

2 patients with severe underlying diseases or special clinical situations, such as heart or lung disease foundation, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancer, immunosuppression, pregnant women;

(3) after the onset of sustained fever (T> 39 ℃) over three days and three days;

4 lymphocyte counts continue to decrease;

5.CRP, LDH and CK continued to increase;

6 Tips chest radiographic pneumonia.

Patients with more than one in any case, it may progress to severe cases or deaths occurred, should be highly valued.

(B) the differential diagnosis. Should be noted that people infected with the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza and other avian influenza, seasonal influenza (including H1N1 influenza), bacterial pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), glandular disease virus pneumonia, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumonia differential diagnosis. Differential diagnosis mainly depends on pathologic examination.

Six treatment

(A) treated in isolation. Suspected cases and confirmed cases should be treated in isolation as soon as possible.

(B) symptomatic treatment. Available oxygen, nasal cannula can be used according to the degree of hypoxia, open face mask masks and oxygen storage oxygen. Fever may be physical cooling, or application antipyretic drugs. Severe cough and sputum may be given compound liquorice tablets, ambroxol, acetylcysteine, codeine cough expectorant drugs.

(C) the anti-viral therapy. Application as soon as possible anti-influenza virus drugs.

1 antiviral guidelines.

(1) Before using specimens from respiratory specimens should antivirals.

(2) antiviral drugs should be used within 48 hours of onset.

Focus on the use of the following groups:

① cases of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza;

② rapid detection of influenza virus antigen positive for influenza-like illness;

③ rapid detection of influenza virus antigen negative or unconditional detection ILI, with the following circumstances, should the use of antiviral drugs:

A. with suspected or confirmed cases have a history of close contact (including health care) flu-like symptoms;

B. clusters of influenza-like illness;

C.1 weeks ILI contact with poultry;

D. There ILI chronic heart and lung disease, old age, pregnancy and other conditions;

E. rapid progress and the clinical condition requires the use of ILI think antivirals;

F. Other unexplained pneumonia cases.

(3) considered necessary for the clinical use of antiviral drugs cases, even if the incidence of more than 48 hours should be used.

2 neuraminidase inhibitors:

(1) oseltamivir (Oseltamivir): adult dose of 75mg twice daily, 5 to 7 days of treatment, the dose may be doubled in severe cases, treatment may be extended more than doubled. 1 year of age and older pediatric patients should be administered according to body weight: underweight 15Kg who I 30mg twice daily; weighing 15 ~ 23Kg who I 45mg twice daily; weighing less than 23 ~ 40Kg who I 60mg daily 2; weighing more than 40Kg who I 75mg twice daily. For children have difficulty swallowing capsules, the choice of oseltamivir suspension.

(2) peramivir (Peramivir): severe cases or those unable to take oral peramivir available Sodium Chloride Injection, adult dosage is 300 ~ 600mg, intravenous infusion, 1 day, 1 to 5 days, severe cases treatment may be extended. Current clinical application of limited data, should be closely observed adverse reactions.

(3) zanamivir (Zanamivir): Adults and adolescents over the age of 7 Usage: 2 times a day, 12 hours apart; each 10mg (twice inhalation).

3 M2 ion channel blockers: current monitoring data show that all H7N9 avian influenza virus to amantadine (Amantadine) and rimantadine (Rimantadine) drug is not recommended.

(Continue . . . )

 

Friday, January 17, 2014

Chinese NHFPC: H7N9 Pandemic `Unlikely’

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# 8180

 

With new cases being reported on a daily basis, and China’s biggest holiday and travel season (Lunar New Year) just two weeks away, China’s NHFPC has issued an opinion on the current risks posed by the H7N9 virus, calling a pandemic `unlikely’.

 

First, this report from Xinhua News, followed by a link and an excerpt from the actual statement.

 

H7N9 epidemic unlikely: health watchdog

English.news.cn   2014-01-17 20:12:45
 

BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's National Health and Family Planning Commission said on Friday that a large-scale H7N9 epidemic is unlikely, following 28 cases reported nationwide this year.

 

"Current cases are scattered, and no mutation of the virus has been idntified so far that could affect public health," said a Friday statement from the commission.

 

The 28 cases of human infection of H7N9 so far were reported in east China's coastal regions of Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu as well as south China's Guizhou and Guangdong provinces.

 

Guangdong reported on Thursday two new cases of human H7N9, and another avian flu patient that died on Wednesday after treatment failed.

 

"The virus is still spreading from birds to human, and the chances of large-scale human H7N9 infection are slim," the statement said, citing experts.

 

However, the commission noted that cases will keep rising as the country's urban and rural fowl markets are scattered while the transporation and trade of poultry will become more frequent to meet the demand around the upcoming Spring Festival.

 

The commission urged local health departments to strengthen monitoring and step up treatment of patients while carrying out detailed prevention and control measures and timely risk evaluations.

 

Here is the (machine translated) statement from the NHFPC .

 

National Health and Family Planning Commission recently informed people infected with H7N9 bird flu prevention and control work

National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic 2014-01-17

A recent human infection of H7N9 avian influenza situation and the situation is judged

Into winter quarters in 2013 to strengthen our country and around the ILI unexplained pneumonia surveillance, strengthening of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza. Since January 2014, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, five confirmed cases were found in 28 cases cases cases were sporadic. Up to now, monitoring found no public health significance of virus occurrence of variation. Experts judged that since the transmission of the virus is still the birds to people, urban and rural prevalence of live poultry market transactions, backyard poultry in the short term is difficult to eliminate the phenomenon, coupled with the Spring Festival approaching, live poultry transport, trade and consumption of more frequent, our China will continue to appear human infection with H7N9 avian influenza sporadic cases, but the small possibility of a pandemic.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

I think that it is fair to say, as long as this virus does not acquire new mutations that allow it to adapt better to transmitting between humans, the pandemic risk remains low.  

 

When (or even if) such changes will ever occur is unknown.

 

But given the severity of many of the infections we’ve seen, the presumed lack of global immunity to H7 influenza viruses, and the fact that influenza viruses are constantly evolving - even a low risk of a pandemic makes this virus one to watch closely.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

China: `No Mutations’ Observed In H7N9 Virus

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# 8057

 

 

The `big’ infectious disease story in the Chinese press this morning is a statement by Yao Hongwen, spokesman for the National Health and Family Planning Commission in Beijing, that reassures that `no mutations’ have been observed in the H7N9 virus, and that humans have only acquired the virus from contact with animals.

 

While it is true that conclusive proof of human-to-human transmission of this virus is lacking,  there are a small number of family clusters where H2H is strongly suspected (See BMJ: `Probable Person-to-Person Transmission’ Of H7N9  and last April’s WHO: Transcript Of Media Briefing On H7N9). 

 

But the lack of secondary infections among the hundreds of contacts of known cases certainly suggests that ongoing H2H transmission is probably a rare event.  That said, the number and potential impact of mild or asymptomatic infections with this virus remains unknown, and a bit of a `wild card’.

 

The spokesman’s broad assurances that `no mutations’ have been detected is probably more reasonably interpreted as `no genetic changes likely to affect the fitness or performance of this virus’ , as some minor (and usually inconsequential) genetic variations between isolates are to be expected.

 

While today’s statement is primarily designed to be reassuring, noticeably absent from any of the half dozen Chinese language reports I’ve scanned this morning on this story are the sorts of public health safety messaging that Hong Kong’s CHP has been busily promoting for months.

 

No warnings about live avoiding live bird markets, thorough cooking of poultry or eggs, washing hands, avoiding crowded places and contact with fever patients, and the wearing masks if sick, etc.

 

A curious omission, considering this comes from the NHFPC, which – among other things – is tasked with raising health awareness and education.

 

No H7N9 mutation: health authority

English.news.cn   2013-12-10 16:40:40
 

BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- No mutation of H7N9 bird flu has been monitored yet and transmission from animals remains the only way in which humans have picked up the virus, China's health authority said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Yao Hongwen, spokesman for the National Health and Family Planning Commission, noted that there have continued to be sporadic reports of H7N9 infections.

China confirmed three new cases this month, with two in Hong Kong and one in east China's Zhejiang Province, and Yao said that local authorities have tightened prevention measures.

The spokesman promised that the commission will continue to strictly control infection sources and release relevant information on a timely basis.

The mainland has so far reported a total of 140 H7N9 cases, including 87 patients who have recovered.