Deadly H7N9 influenza reaches city’s borders

Deadly H7N9 influenza reaches city’s borders

Tony Lai | 05/03/2014 | in

    Society

Health bureau cannot rule out an outbreak here, after a Zhuhai man dies from virus

Exports of live poultry to Macau are continuing even as wet markets trading live birds in Zhuhai were closed for sterilisation after the H7N9 bird influenza virus killed a 59-year-old man.
The victim – from Zhuhai’s Xiangzhou district – died on Sunday. His death was reported in the mainland media on Monday.
Officials in Zhuhai have not said from where the person contracted the disease.
Macau’s Health Bureau yesterday told Business Daily the man suffered from chronic bronchitis and was a regular visitor to wet markets.
“We expect that there will be more cases of human infection of the H7N9 virus this spring and winter, and we do not rule out the chances that such cases may appear in Macau,” the Health Bureau said.
“We’ve already informed Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and reinforced the checks for fever at all borders in Macau.
“Any passengers going to or coming from Zhuhai detected with fever, and who have touched live poultry before their departure or arrival, will be immediately sent to Conde de São Januário General Hospital for medical assessment,” the bureau added.
Registered farms in Zhuhai supplying live poultry to Macau will remain open, according to importer Nam Yue Food Stuff and Aquatics Co Ltd and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau.
“So far, we haven’t received any virus-infected samples from the breeding farms in Zhuhai, or other irregularities with their operation,” a Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau spokesman said.
“The exports from these breeding farms to Macau should remain unaffected.”

High alert

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