WHO 27 February 2017 (Disease outbreak news)

On 18 February 2017, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China (NHFPC) reported to WHO the results of genetic sequencing on virus isolates from two previously reported cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus from Guangdong province. Changes at the cleavage site of the HA gene suggestive of being highly pathogenic to poultry was confirmed by the Chinese National Influenza Centre of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC).

Details of the cases

The two cases were reported through International Health Regulations (IHR) notification on 19 January 2017.

• - A 43-year-old female with symptom onset on 29 December 2016. The case recovered. She had poultry exposure but also cared for her sister who was hospitalized with avian influenza A(H7N9). This was reported as a family cluster.
• - A 57-year-old male with symptom onset on 5 January 2017. The case is still hospitalized and in critical condition as of 22 February 2017. He was reported to have had poultry exposure.

Investigation revealed exposure to sick and dead poultry. None of the 105 close contacts of these two cases developed symptoms during the two weeks of medical observation. To date, there is no evidence of changes in pathogenicity to and transmissibility among humans.

Public health response

Considering the new developments in H7N9 genetic sequence, the Chinese government is implementing additional measures in Guangdong province on top of current existing measures:

• - Closure of markets for cleaning.
• - Emergency monitoring of poultry markets and flocks.
• - Culling of flocks if the strain is confirmed in them.

See more: http://www.who.int/csr/don/27-february-2017-ah7n9-china/en/