1/15 CHP China reports 4 new H7N9 infections.

CHP notified of four additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Mainland -

CHP notified of four additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Mainland
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 15) received notification of four additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) respectively in Foshan (one case) and Shenzhen (one case) from the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province and in Zhejiang (one case) and Shanghai (one case) from the National Health and Family Planning Commission.
     The case in Foshan involves a 48-year-old man who is currently under treatment in a local hospital. He is currently in critical condition. The case in Shenzhen involves a 55-year-old man who lives in Dongguan. He was admitted to a hospital in Shenzhen and is now in critical condition.
     In Zhejiang, the patient is a 41-year-old man who lives in Hangzhou. He is currently under treatment in a local hospital and his condition is critical.
     The case in Shanghai involves a 35-year-old man who is still hospitalised for treatment.
     As of 9pm today, a total of 176 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been confirmed in the Mainland, including Zhejiang (63 cases), Shanghai (37 cases), Jiangsu (30 cases), Guangdong (18 cases), Fujian (seven cases), Jiangxi (six cases), Anhui (four cases), Henan (four cases), Beijing (two cases), Hunan (two cases), Shandong (two cases) and Hebei (one case).
     The CHP will follow up with the Mainland health authorities for more case details.
     ”Locally, enhanced disease surveillance, port health measures and health education against avian influenza are ongoing. We will remain vigilant and maintain liaison with the World Health Organization (WHO) and relevant health authorities. Local surveillance activities will be modified upon the WHO’s recommendations,” a spokesman for the DH said.
     ”All boundary control points have implemented disease prevention and control measures. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks of inbound travellers. Random temperature checks by handheld devices will also be arranged. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up investigation,” the spokesman added.
     Regarding health education for travellers, distribution of pamphlets, display of posters in departure and arrival halls, in-flight public announcements, environmental health inspections and provision of regular updates to the travel industry via meetings and correspondence are all proceeding.
     ”Travellers, especially those returning from avian influenza-affected areas and provinces with fever or respiratory symptoms, should immediately wear masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors. Health-care professionals should pay special attention to patients who might have had contact with poultry, birds or their droppings in affected areas and provinces,” the spokesman advised.
     Members of the public should remain vigilant and take heed of the preventive advice against avian influenza below:
* Do not visit live poultry markets. Avoid contact with poultry, birds and their droppings. If contact has been made, thoroughly wash hands with soap;
* Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating;
* Wash hands frequently with soap, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, handling food or eating; after going to the toilet or touching public installations or equipment (including escalator handrails, elevator control panels and door knobs); or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
* Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with a tissue and put it into a covered dustbin;
* Avoid crowded places and contact with fever patients; and
* Wear masks when respiratory symptoms develop or when taking care of fever patients.
     The public may visit the CHP’s avian influenza page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/24244.html) and website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/global_statistics_avian_influenza_e.pdf) for more information on avian influenza-affected areas and provinces.

Ends/Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Issued at HKT 21:05
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It does seem odd to me that almost everyday is 3 or 4 cases reported. Perhaps China does this because that real number is really much higher?

I agree Kyle.  We saw a similar pattern last year of 4 a day.  Not 1 a day, not 7 a day, but always 3 or 4 each day.  It was a clear reporting pattern. 

Cause of death is what ever the doctor puts on the death certificate. Last year China reported 172,000 influenza/pnumonia deaths and 1,287,000 deaths from "lung disease".With those kind of numbers you can cover up almost anything.