H7N9 avian influenza cases reported from Guangdong and Anhui provinces

Three additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been reported from Mainland China today. According to the notification of the Health and Family Planning Commission (HFPC) of Guangdong Province, the male patient aged 59 in Zhaoqing was hospitalized for management in critical condition.

In addition, according to the HFPC of Anhui Province, the two male patients aged 48 and 75 with poultry exposure before onset were hospitalised for management. Both were in critical condition.

To date, 585 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities in Guangdong (172 cases), Zhejiang (156 cases), Jiangsu (70 cases), Fujian (58 cases), Shanghai (45 cases), Hunan (24 cases), Anhui (19 cases), Xinjiang (10 cases), Jiangxi (nine cases), Shandong (six cases), Beijing (five cases), Henan (four cases), Guangxi (three cases), Jilin (two cases), Guizhou (one case) and Hebei (one case).

Avian influenza A (H7N9) is an influenza (flu) virus found in birds that does not normally infect humans. However, in spring of 2013, China began reporting infections with the virus in people. Most of these infections have been associated with contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments (such as poultry markets) in China. Early symptoms are consistent with seasonal flu and may include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue, loss of appetite, and runny or stuffy nose. However, infection with this virus often causes severe respiratory illnessand, in some cases, death.