Five Cases of Human Infection With H7N9 Virus are Reported to WHO

On May 12, 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of five additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus:
 
A 23-year-old male from Leping City, Jiangxi Province had onset of symptoms on April 14 and was admitted to a hospital on April 27. He is currently in a mild condition. The patient had a history of exposure to live poultry.

A 74-year-old female from Yueyang City, Hunan Province had onset of symptoms on April 23 and was admitted to a hospital on April 29. She is currently in severe condition. The patient had a history of exposure to live poultry.

A 53-year-old female from Shenzhen City, Guandong Province had onset of symptoms on April 15 and was admitted to a hospital on April 28. She is currently in a mild condition. The patient had a history of exposure to live poultry.

A 63-year-old male from Yanji City, Jilin Province had onset of symptoms on April 27 and was admitted to a hospital on April 30. He is currently in critical condition. No information was available on exposure.

A 50-year-old male from Zhongshan City, Guandong Province had onset of symptoms on May 2 and was admitted to a hospital on May 6. He is currently in critical condition. The patient had 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.

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 travelers is low.

WHO advises that travelers 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 feces from poultry or other animals. Travelers 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.

Source: WHO