China reports new human case of H7N9 bird flu, brings total to 134
For the first time since May 29, China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission is reporting a human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) update, the latest laboratory confirmed case is a 61 year-old woman from Langfang City in Hebei Province who became ill on 10 July 2013. She was admitted to a local hospital from 10-15 July and transferred to a hospital in Beijing on 18 July . She is in a critical condition.
She was confirmed positive for the virus yesterday by the Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control (CDC).
To date, WHO has been informed of a total of 134 laboratory-confirmed human cases with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus including 43 deaths.
They say that four patients remain hospitalized for their illness.
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 people. However, human infections have now been detected.
As yet, there is limited information about the scope of the disease the virus causes and about the source of exposure. The disease is of concern because most patients have been severely ill.
Although the WHO says there is no indication thus far that it can be transmitted between people, a new study suggests the virus may have the potential to be easily transmitted from human to human.
Researchers at the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory at Harbin Veterinary Research Institute have found that the virus is highly transmissible between ferrets, a mammal often used to study possible virus transmission between humans, according to a HealthDay report.
“The situation raises many urgent questions and global public health concerns,” said study co-author Hualan Chen.
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[…] date, WHO has been informed of a total of 134 laboratory-confirmed human cases with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus including 43 […]
[…] date, WHO has been informed of a total of 134 laboratory-confirmed human cases with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus including 43 […]