WHO H7N9 Update - China

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# 10,994


Over the past month we've seen scattered reports of H7N9 cases across mainland China (see Hong Kong CHP Notified Of 19 Additional H7N9 Cases On Mainland),
although few details have been forthcoming.

Today the World Health Organization published an updated listing of 28 `recent' cases - going back to December 21st - reported to them by the Chinese government.

Although comparisons are tough without a real-time disclosure of cases, we seem to be seeing fewer cases reported (and none so far in Hong Kong), compared to the past two winters.

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

Disease outbreak news
10 February 2016 

On 5 February 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 28 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, including five deaths. 

Onset dates ranged from 21 December 2015 to 25 January 2016. Cases ranged in age from 14 to 91 years, with a median age of 58 years. Of these 28 cases, 18 (64%) were male. The majority (25 cases, 89%) reported exposure to live poultry or live poultry markets; the exposure history of three cases is unknown or no clear exposure to poultry. No clusters were reported. Cases were reported from six provinces and municipalities: Zhejiang (13), Jiangsu (5), Guangdong (4), Fujian (3), Shanghai (2) and Hunan (1). See attachment for individual case information.

Detailed information concerning these cases can be found in a separate document (see related links).

Public health response

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

• strengthening outbreak surveillance and situation analysis;
• reinforcing all efforts on medical treatment; and
• conducting risk communication with the public and dissemination of information.