China - Hong Kong CHP announces 57 additional H7N9 cases, including 9 deaths, from January 16 to 29. - February 3, 2017

[sharon sanders]

Macao says the Mainland informed them of 62 new cases. Again, a different number than reported by Hong Kong CHP:

62 new cases of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza in Mainland China

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2017-02-03 19:38:00

Source: Health Bureau

The Health Bureau said that according to the latest health information from the Mainland, the Mainland from January 16 to 29, a total of 62 cases of human infection H7N9 avian influenza cases. According to sources, the patient's regional distribution: 14 cases in Jiangsu Province, Guangdong Province, 10 cases, 8 cases in Zhejiang Province, 8 cases in Hunan Province, Jiangxi Province in 7 cases, 5 cases in Anhui Province, Fujian Province 5 cases, the rest of Shandong Province, There were 1 case in Sichuan, Henan, Hubei and Guizhou provinces, with an average age of 54.6 years, 50 males and 12 females, ranging from 26 to 84 years old. 12 patients died and 19 were critically ill. , And 23 were still under investigation; at least 35 of them had come to the live poultry market or to live birds before the onset. On January 12, a case of imported human infection with H7N9 avian influenza was diagnosed on January 12, and the patient had no fever and healthy condition for several days. Many H7N9 avian influenza viruses were negative and showed no infectious status. Today (February 3) in the evening to remove medical observation and transferred to the general ward to continue treatment. A total of 106 general contacts of poultry culling personnel from other Guangdong poultry traders and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Guangdong Province were conducting medical observation on January 26, when the H7 antigenic event was detected in the Guangdong poultry wholesale market. Up to now, they are not any symptoms. The Health Bureau will continue to follow up on the health status of general contacts. Fujian, Shanghai, Guangdong, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Shandong, Liaoning, and Henan provinces since September 2016. The number of cases of local infection since September 2016 is Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Shanghai, The Department of Health will continue to maintain close contact with the health authorities in the country and neighboring regions and the World Health Organization (WHO) to monitor the epidemic and the outbreak of Avian Influenza in neighboring areas or Macau through cross-sectoral and public-private partnerships. Prevention and preparedness. Based on past experience, the Health Bureau expects the H7N9 avian influenza activity to become more active in the near future. The following appeal has been made to the people of Macao:

• To avoid places where poultry have been sold or displayed in markets such as markets and farms where the recent outbreak of Influenza A H7N9 has occurred;
• Avoid contact with birds and their secretions, excreta; if contact should immediately wash their hands;
• Do not buy or carry unqualified birds;
• Do not eat poultry meat, offal, blood products and eggs that have not been thoroughly cooked;
• Pay attention to personal hygiene, often wash their hands;

• In case of fever, cough, dyspnea and other symptoms, wear a mask and seek medical advice as soon as possible, and give the doctor details of the history of travel and animal contact history. For more information on Avian Influenza A H7N9, please call the Health Bureau's website (www.ssm.gov.mo) or call the Health Bureau Infectious Disease Hotline 28700800 during office hours.

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http://www.gcs.gov.mo/showNews.php?P...DataUcn=108518

[Treyfish]

WOW! Not too good!

[sharon sanders]

I am waiting for the official China HFPC January report before I reconcile the numbers.

Also, there are 2 new H7N9 cases in Sichuan province. The above report has 1 of the 2 mentioned. link

This is a sizable outbreak this flu season.

[sharon sanders]

CHP notified of human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Mainland
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 3) received notification from the National Health and Family Planning Commission that 57 additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9), including nine deaths, were recorded from January 16 to 29. The CHP strongly urges the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.

The 45 male and 12 female patients aged from 26 to 84 had their onset from January 4 to 29. The cases were from Jiangsu (13 cases), Guangdong (10 cases), Zhejiang (eight cases), Hunan (seven cases), Jiangxi (seven cases), Anhui (six cases), Fujian (four cases) and one case each in Hubei and Sichuan. Among them, 32 reported exposure to poultry or poultry markets while the source of infection of 21 cases was still under investigation.

"Since November 2016, the Mainland health authorities have already recorded 298 human H7N9 cases thus far. We would also like to remind the public that human H7N9 cases continue to occur in neighbouring Guangdong and the positive percentage for H7 virus of environmental samples is substantial. We again urge the public to pay special attention to health risks of the places of visit," a spokesman for the CHP said.

"While local surveillance, prevention and control measures are in place, we will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments," the spokesman said.

As the H7N9 virus continues to be detected in animals and environments in the Mainland, additional human cases are expected in affected and possibly neighbouring areas. In view of the heavy trade and travel between the Mainland and Hong Kong, further sporadic imported human cases in Hong Kong every now and then are expected, especially in the coming few months.

"Therefore, we strongly urge the public to avoid touching birds, poultry or their droppings and visiting poultry markets or farms during travel. If feeling unwell, such as having a fever or cough, wear a mask and seek medical advice at once. Travellers returning from affected areas should consult doctors promptly if symptoms develop, and actively inform the doctors of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment," the spokesman added.

The CHP'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 broadcasting 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.

The public should maintain strict personal, hand, food and environmental hygiene and take heed of the advice below while handling poultry:
?Avoid touching poultry, birds, animals or their droppings;
?When buying live chickens, do not touch them and their droppings. Do not blow at their bottoms. Wash eggs with detergent if soiled with faecal matter and cook and consume them immediately. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling chickens and eggs;
?Eggs should be cooked well until the white and yolk become firm. Do not eat raw eggs or dip cooked food into any sauce with raw eggs. Poultry should be cooked thoroughly. If there is pinkish juice running from the cooked poultry or the middle part of its bone is still red, the poultry should be cooked again until fully done;
?Wash hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, before handling food or eating, and after going to the toilet, touching public installations or equipment such as escalator handrails, elevator control panels or door knobs, or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing; and
?Wear a mask if fever or respiratory symptoms develop, when going to a hospital or clinic, or while taking care of patients with fever or respiratory symptoms.

The public may visit the CHP's pages for more information: the avian influenza page, the weekly Avian Influenza Report, global statistics and affected areas of avian influenza, the Facebook Page and the YouTube Channel.
Ends/Friday, February 3, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:15

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201702/03/P2017020300364.htm