WHO H7N9 Situation updates

Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update

Disease outbreak news

5 MARCH 2014 - On 4 March 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of an additional laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

The patient is a 59 year-old man from Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province. He became ill on 26 February, was admitted to a hospital on 1 March and died on 2 March. The patient has a history of exposure to live poultry.

The Chinese Government has taken the following surveillance and control measures:

strengthen surveillance and situation analysis;
reinforce case management and treatment; and
conduct risk communication with the public and release information;

Sporadic human cases

The overall risk assessment has not changed (see WHO Risk Assessment under 'Related links').

The previous report of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus detection in live poultry exported from mainland China to Hong Kong SAR shows the potential for the virus to spread through movement of live poultry, at this time there is no indication that international spread of avian influenza A(H7N9) has occurred. However as the virus infection does not cause signs of disease in poultry, continued surveillance is needed.

Further sporadic human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) infection are expected in affected and possibly neighbouring areas.

Should human cases from affected areas travel internationally, their infection may be detected in another country during or after arrival. If this were to occur, community level spread is unlikely as the virus does not have the ability to transmit easily among humans. Until the virus adapts itself for efficient human-to-human transmission, the risk of ongoing international spread of H7N9 virus by travellers is low.

WHO advice

WHO advises that travellers to countries with known outbreaks of avian influenza should avoid poultry farms, or contact with animals in live bird markets, or entering areas where poultry may be slaughtered, or contact with any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with faeces from poultry or other animals. Travellers should also wash their hands often with soap and water. Travellers should follow good food safety and good food hygiene practices.

WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it currently recommend any travel or trade restrictions.

As always, a diagnosis of infection with an avian influenza virus should be considered in individuals who develop severe acute respiratory symptoms while travelling or soon after returning from an area where avian influenza is a concern.

WHO encourages countries to continue strengthening influenza surveillance, including surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns, in order to ensure reporting of human infections under the IHR (2005), and continue national health preparedness actions.
WHO

WHO: Six New Cases Of Human H7N9 Infection Reported In China




3/27/2014 6:38 PM ET



The United Nations' World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday it has been notified by China's National Health and Family Planning Commission of six new laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

The cases were reported from the provinces of Hunan (1), Anhui (1) and Guangdong (4). WHO said all of them were males, and added that their ages range from 32 to 82. All of them are currently in critical condition.

Influenza A(H7N9) is one of a subgroup of influenza viruses that normally circulate among birds. Until recently, this virus had not been seen in human beings. However, human infections have now been detected. Nevertheless, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.

WHO said the Chinese government is continuing to take surveillance and control measures, including strengthening epidemic surveillance and analysis; reinforcing case management and treatment as well as conducting risk communication with the public and releasing information.

The agency noted reports of A/H7N9 virus being detected in live poultry imported from the mainland China into Hong Kong. But the agency stressed that there is currently no indication that international spread of H7N9 has occurred through humans or animals.

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