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Influenza A (H7N9) - China - Monitoring human cases (ECDC/CDTR, April 8 2013, edited)
[Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), full PDF document: (LINK). Edited.]
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE THREATS REPORT
Week 14, 31 March-6 April 2013
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Influenza A (H7N9) - China - Monitoring human cases
Opening date: 31 March 2013 Latest update: 5 April 2013
Epidemiological summary
Fourteen cases of infection with a novel influenza virus A(H7N9) have been reported from four provinces in eastern China (six in Shanghai, four in Jiangsu, three in Zhejiang and one in Anhui) since 31 March 2013 with onset of disease between 19 February and 29 March 2013. Six of these patients died. Five patients had contact with animals prior to falling ill.
No epidemiological link among cases has been identified to date. More than 400 close contacts of the confirmed cases are being closely monitored.
Thus far, none of them have developed any symptoms of illness. However, there are reports of a small family cluster of disease around the first case, but this has not been confirmed by laboratory data.
The Chinese Health authorities are responding to this public health event by enhanced surveillance, epidemiological and laboratory investigation and contact tracing. The animal health sector has intensified investigations into the possible sources and reservoirs of the virus. A(H7N9) was detected in pigeon samples taken from a farm produce wholesale market in Shanghai.
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ECDC assessment
The influenza A viruses from the first three cases were non-subtypeable and were sent to the WHO Influenza Collaborating Centre at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The genetic comparison indicated that these cases were caused by a novel reassortant avian influenza virus with avian origin genes from both A(H7N9) and A(H9N2).
No similar viruses have been seen before and A(H7N9) differs from A(H7) and A(H9) viruses that have been seen previously in Europe.
No vaccine is currently available for this subtype of the influenza virus.
Preliminary test results suggest that the virus is susceptible to the neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir).
At this time there is no evidence of on-going human-to-human transmission and the risk of disease spread to Europe is considered low, although individual cases coming from China cannot be ruled out.
Actions
ECDC is monitoring this event in collaboration with partners.
ECDC published a rapid risk assessment and an epidemiological update on 3 April 2013.
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COMMUNICABLE DISEASE THREATS REPORT
Week 14, 31 March-6 April 2013
(?)
Influenza A (H7N9) - China - Monitoring human cases
Opening date: 31 March 2013 Latest update: 5 April 2013
Epidemiological summary
Fourteen cases of infection with a novel influenza virus A(H7N9) have been reported from four provinces in eastern China (six in Shanghai, four in Jiangsu, three in Zhejiang and one in Anhui) since 31 March 2013 with onset of disease between 19 February and 29 March 2013. Six of these patients died. Five patients had contact with animals prior to falling ill.
No epidemiological link among cases has been identified to date. More than 400 close contacts of the confirmed cases are being closely monitored.
Thus far, none of them have developed any symptoms of illness. However, there are reports of a small family cluster of disease around the first case, but this has not been confirmed by laboratory data.
The Chinese Health authorities are responding to this public health event by enhanced surveillance, epidemiological and laboratory investigation and contact tracing. The animal health sector has intensified investigations into the possible sources and reservoirs of the virus. A(H7N9) was detected in pigeon samples taken from a farm produce wholesale market in Shanghai.
(?)
ECDC assessment
The influenza A viruses from the first three cases were non-subtypeable and were sent to the WHO Influenza Collaborating Centre at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The genetic comparison indicated that these cases were caused by a novel reassortant avian influenza virus with avian origin genes from both A(H7N9) and A(H9N2).
No similar viruses have been seen before and A(H7N9) differs from A(H7) and A(H9) viruses that have been seen previously in Europe.
No vaccine is currently available for this subtype of the influenza virus.
Preliminary test results suggest that the virus is susceptible to the neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir).
At this time there is no evidence of on-going human-to-human transmission and the risk of disease spread to Europe is considered low, although individual cases coming from China cannot be ruled out.
Actions
ECDC is monitoring this event in collaboration with partners.
ECDC published a rapid risk assessment and an epidemiological update on 3 April 2013.
(?)
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