More H7N9 cases, deaths reported in China

Since Friday, WHO confirmed 27 additional cases of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China, including four deaths. Sixteen patients are in serious or critical condition.

Since the outbreak was first reported in March 2013, there have been 286 H7N9 cases and 60 deaths.

The most recent cases occurred in patients aged 2 to 80 years and were reported from Fujian province (2), Guangdong province (10), Guangxi (1), Hong Kong (1), Hunan province (2), Jiangsu province (1) and Zhejiang province (10). Nineteen of the patients reported exposure to poultry. The patient from Guangxi, an autonomous region located along the northern border of Vietnam, was the first H7N9 infection reported from that region, according to WHO.

Among the fatal cases were two men and one woman from Guangdong province, aged 59 to 67 years. All three patients had a history of exposure to poultry or live poultry markets.

WHO also confirmed the death of a 75-year-old man from Hong Kong with a pre-existing medical condition. His death was first reported by the Hong Kong Department of Health on Jan. 29. According to health officials, the man traveled to Shenzhen in Guangdong province on Jan. 20, where he stayed with relatives who lived near a live poultry market. He became ill Jan. 26. After returning home, the patient was hospitalized Jan. 28 and died the next day. An investigation is ongoing, but health officials said the man acquired H7N9 outside of Hong Kong. Five close contacts from Hong Kong were identified but remain asymptomatic. Investigators also are looking into additional contacts, including other patients and hospital and ambulance staff.

“As always, a diagnosis with infection with avian influenza virus should be considered in individuals who develop severe acute respiratory symptoms while traveling or soon after returning from an area where avian influenza is a concern,” WHO stated in a news release.