China human H7N9 avian influenza death toll at 31, Taiwanese bird flu patient recovering

The Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission has reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) today of an additional two confirmed cases of human infection with H7N9 bird flu.

Image/CIA

According to the WHO, the first patient is a 69-year-old man from Fujian province who became ill on 29 April 2013 and the second patient is a 9-year-old boy, also from Fujian province, who became ill on 26 April 2013.

The UN agency also says five patients who were previously reported positive for the virus have died.

To date, a total of 130 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus including 31 deaths have been reported to WHO. Contacts of the confirmed cases are being closely monitored.

In a follow-up to the Taiwanese man who was confirmed the first imported case of H7N9 avian influenza, National Taiwan University Hospital Deputy Superintendent Chang Shang-chun said the 53-year-old man is improving, The China Post reports.

 “The patient’s situation has been gradually improving after intensive treatment and attentive care,” said Chang, an expert in infectious diseases.

The man was confirmed positive for H7N9 avian influenza last month after returning from the mainland.

“The patient remains under close monitoring and our next target is to remove him from the ventilator,” Chang said.

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