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H7N9 reported in Malaysia
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The first human case of infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus was reported in Malaysia, according to WHO. Health officials also confirmed today seven additional H7N9 cases in mainland China.
To date, there have been 345 H7N9 cases, including 66 fatalities. So far, the virus has affected people in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and now Malaysia, although there have been no reports of locally acquired H7N9 infections outside of mainland China.
According to the Malaysia Ministry of Health, a 67-year-old female Chinese tourist traveled to Malaysia with 17 other people, including relatives, on Feb. 3. The tour group stayed overnight in the federal capital of Kuala Lumpur, and then visited Sabah between Feb. 4 and Feb. 6. The woman was hospitalized Feb. 7 and is currently in stable condition.
The patient developed symptoms of fever, cough, influenza, fatigue and joint pain 4 days before traveling, suggesting that the woman likely was exposed to the virus before arriving in the country. The Malaysia Ministry of Health and the Chinese government are both investigating the case.
Chinese health officials also confirmed seven additional H7N9 cases in patients aged 8 to 84 years — three each from Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces and one from Hunan province, all in eastern China. The patients’ conditions range from mild to critical. All of the cases had contact with poultry.
According to WHO, detection of H7N9 in other countries outside of China is expected, but the risk for spreading the disease is low because there has been no been no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.
“Until the virus adapts itself for efficient human-to-human transmission, the risk of ongoing international spread of H7N9 virus by travelers is low,” WHO officials stated in a news release. “The overall risk assessment has not changed.”