Avian Influenza (H7N9) (Human) in China (Update)

09 Feb 2015

On 4 February 2015, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China notified WHO of 83 new laboratory-confirmed human cases (including 19 deaths) of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus infection. The cases were reported between 20 December 2014, and 27 January 2015, as listed below:

20 December 2014: 2 cases

22–28 December: 8 cases

29 December–4 January 2015: 16 cases

5-11 January: 21 cases

12–18 January: 20 cases

19–25 January: 13 cases

26-27 January 2015: 3 cases

Cases were reported from 8 provinces: Fujian (30), Guangdong (30), Jiangsu (7), Jiangxi (1), Shandong (1), Shanghai (2), Xinjiang (1), and Zhejiang (11).

Cases ranged between 1-88 years-of-age; 60 out of 83 cases were male. The majority of cases reported exposure to live poultry or live poultry markets.

The government is taking steps to strengthen surveillance, reinforce case management and medical treatment and inform and communicate risk with the public.

Advice for Travellers

Travellers experiencing severe flu like symptoms within 10 days of returning from China, should contact their GP and inform them of their recent travel to China.

• Further information on avian influenza and travel.