China - Hong Kong CHP reports 19 H7N9 cases from December 21, 2015 to January 25, 2016

[sharon sanders]

5 February 2016 CHP notified of additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Mainland The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 5) received notification of 19 additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) with onset of symptoms between December 21, 2015 and January 25 this year from the National Health and Family Planning Commission, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel. The patients comprise 11 men and eight women aged from 42 to 91, four of whom (three men and one woman) have died. Eleven cases are from Zhejiang, five are from Jiangsu and three are from Fujian. "H5 and H7N9 avian influenza viruses can cause severe infections in humans. Due to the seasonal pattern, our risk assessment shows that the activity of avian influenza viruses is expected to remain at a high level in winter months. Human H5N6 and H7N9 cases have been recorded in the Mainland since this winter. Locally, birds positive for H5N6 were also detected this winter. The public, particularly poultry traders, travellers and those who may visit the Mainland in the coming Lunar New Year, should be highly alert. Do not visit poultry markets and farms. Avoid poultry contact. We will continue to monitor the regional and global disease situation," a spokesman for the CHP said. From 2013 to date, 702 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities. The DH's Port Health Office conducts health surveillance measures at all boundary control points. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks on inbound travellers. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up. The display of posters and broadcast of health messages in departure and arrival halls as health education for travellers is under way. The travel industry and other stakeholders are regularly updated on the latest information. Travellers, especially those returning from avian influenza-affected areas with fever or respiratory symptoms, should immediately wear masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors. Health-care professionals should pay special attention to patients who might have had contact with poultry, birds or their droppings in affected areas. The public should remain vigilant and take heed of the advice against avian influenza below: * Do not visit live poultry markets and farms. Avoid contact with poultry, birds and their droppings; * If contact has been made, thoroughly wash hands with soap; * Avoid entering areas where poultry may be slaughtered and contact with surfaces which might be contaminated by droppings of poultry or other animals; * Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating; * Wash hands frequently with soap, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, handling food or eating; after going to the toilet or touching public installations or equipment (including escalator handrails, elevator control panels and door knobs); and when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing; * Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with a tissue and put it into a covered dustbin; * Avoid crowded places and contact with fever patients; and * Wear masks when respiratory symptoms develop or when taking care of fever patients. The public may visit the CHP's pages below for more information: * The avian influenza page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/24244.html); * The weekly Avian Influenza Report (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/3879.html); * The avian influenza-affected areas and global statistics (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/global_statistics_avian_influenza_e.pdf); * The Facebook Page (www.fb.com/CentreforHealthProtection); and * The YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/c/ChpGovHkChannel). Ends/Friday, February 5, 2016 http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/43285.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As this announcement crosses over 2 reporting months and 2 calendar years it is difficult to evaluate the current H7N9 situation based solely on this report. I am waiting for the China NHFPC monthly notifiable diseases report due to be published soon to see how many cases and deaths they are reporting for January 2016. For the month of December 2015 they reported 10 cases including 3 deaths. link Some of the cases in the CHP notice above may be previously known and some may be new. At this point we have 15 cases listed for January 2016: #694 - Male, 59, [Ni], confirmed January 1, 2016 - probable January case, Shanghai #695 - Patient, reported January 5 - probable January case, hospitalized, Ningbo, Zhejiang province #696 - Female, 58, reported January 9 - probable January case, hospitalized in critical condition, Jieyang, Guangdong province #699 - Female, 58, announced by Shanghai HFPC, on January 8, probable January case, lives in Shandong Province #706 - This line adds 1 case. Hong Kong CHP announced 2 cases on January 11, 2016. One of the cases is already listed above (#695), Ningbo, Zhejiang province #707 - Male, Taiwan businessman working in China, confirmed by Taiwan CDC on January 12, 2016, Kunshun, Jiangsu province Death note #708 - 1 case announced by Guangdong province on January 14, stable condition, Jieyang, Guangdong province #709 - 1 case announced by Guangdong province on January 14, stable condition, Zhongshan, Guangdong province #710 - 1 new case announced in government media on January 19, Fujian province #711 - Female, announced by Keqiao district, Shaoxing City January 8, Zhejiang province reported Death #712 - Male, 33, announced by state media Xinhua on January 27, Xintian County, Hunan province #713 - 1 previous case referred to by Guangdong province in Jan 28 announcement, Guangdong province #714 - I previous case referred to by Zhejiang province government post on Jan 28, Keqiao district, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang province #715 - Male, 74, confirmed by Hong Kong CHP, Meizhou, Guangdong province #716- 1 new case posted on province health site January 28,Keqiao district, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang province