New Details About H7N9 Infection Uncovered

Researchers have uncovered new information about the latest strain of type A influenza, known as H7N9.

AsianScientist (Jun. 25, 2013) – Researchers have uncovered new information about the latest strain of type A influenza, known as H7N9, that first appeared in China this year.

Since March 2013, 132 confirmed cases of human infection with H7N9 have been reported in China and 37 people have died, according to the World Health Organization. It is the first time human infection with the avian influenza H7N9 subtype has been detected, and researchers fear that this strain may have pandemic potential.

The possibility of an animal source of the infection is being investigated, as is the possibility of person-to-person transmission.

However, most people who contracted the disease reported having contact with live birds in a bird market prior to infection. The researchers found that younger women generally have the most contact with poultry, but it is older men who are experiencing the most infections.

The findings, published in PLOS Currents: Outbreaks, suggest that there is something unique about older men that makes them particularly susceptible to H7N9. Their greater risk of infection is not just because they tend to spend more time exposed to an avian source.

The researchers also compiled data from a variety of available sources to discover risk factors, which could aid in containing the spread of H7N9.

The article can be found at: Rivers et al. (2013) Estimating Human Cases Of Avian Influenza A(H7N9) From Poultry Exposure.

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Source: Virginia Tech; Photo: Padmanaba01/Flickr.
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