China human H7N9 bird flu outbreak expected to grow further; 60 cases, 13 deaths to date: WHO

The Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of nine additional cases of human H7N9 avian influenza, and according to the UN agency, until the source of infection has been identified, it is expected that there will be further cases of human infection with the virus in China, according to a WHO update April 15.

Public domain image/Ben Rudiak-Gould

The nine new laboratory confirmed cases are from Zhejiang (4),  Shanghai (3)  and two from Jiangsu.

The cases breakdown as follows:

• a 64-year-old woman from Zhejiang who became ill on 6 April 2013;
• a 62-year-old woman from Zhejiang who became ill on 29 March 2013;
• a 75-year-old man from Zhejiang who became ill on 6 April 2013;
• a 79-year-old man from Zhejiang who became ill on 9 April 2013;
• a 73-year-old man from Shanghai who became ill on 5 April 2013;
• a 54-year-old man from Shanghai who became ill on 8 April 2013;
• a 78-year-old man from Shanghai who became ill on 4 April 2013;
• a 50-year-old man from Jiangsu who became ill on 1 April 2013;
• a 26-year-old man from Jiangsu who became ill on 8 April 2013.

Two previously reported patients from Shanghai have succumbed to the disease, bringing the total fatalities to 13.

To date, there is no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission.

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