The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday that China's National Health and Family Planning Commission has notified it of two new laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in the country, including one death.
The UN health agency identified the patient who died as a 66-year-old woman from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. She had onset of symptoms on July 14, was admitted to a hospital on July 17. She died on August 3. The patient had a history of exposure to live poultry.
The other patient is a 53-year-old male, also from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. He had onset of symptoms on August 5 and was admitted to a hospital on August 9. He is currently in a mild condition. He has a history of exposure to live poultry.
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 said reports of A/H7N9 virus being detected in live poultry imported from the mainland China into Hong Kong shows the potential for the virus to spread through movement of live poultry. Nonetheless, it stressed that there is currently no indication that international spread of H7N9 has occurred through humans or animals.
The agency urged travelers to countries with known outbreaks of avian influenza to 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. It also urged travelers to wash their hands often with soap and water, and follow good food safety as well as good food hygiene practices.
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