AsianScientist (Oct. 21, 2013) – A new laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with the avian influenza A (H7N9) virus has been reported in east China’s Zhejiang Province.
This is the first new confirmed case of the H7N9 virus since August 11, and the second such case reported in Zhejiang since late April, according to a statement from local health officials.
A 35-year-old man surnamed Liu tested positive for the H7N9 virus at the Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said the statement. Liu, a company employee from Shaoxing County, was admitted to a hospital on October 8 and is in a critical condition. Additionally, a previously laboratory-confirmed patient from Hebei has died.
No new cases of H7N9 infection were reported on the Chinese mainland in September, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission.
To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been informed of a total of 136 laboratory-confirmed human cases with H7N9 virus infection including 45 deaths. Currently, three patients are hospitalized and 88 have been discharged. So far, there is no evidence of sustainable human-to-human transmission.
WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry to China with regard to this event, nor does it currently recommend any travel or trade restrictions.
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