H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 4 cases / 1 death (Total 64 / 14)

[Diane Morin]

Previous day's thread here.

hat tip Crof

April 14, 2013

H7N9: Another case in Beijing?

This is why I don't like computer translations. The Beijing Municipal Health Bureau just posted a story on its website: Active screening for the monitoring found one case of human infection with H7N9 avian flu virus. Here's a translated excerpt:

/.../

If I understand this report, a family living across the street from the Yao family has a four-year-old boy who has tested positive for H7N9 but is showing no clinical symptoms. He was tested with a lot of other poultry dealers' family members. If he's asymptomatic, that's probably a bigger story than if he's sick.

http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/2013/04/h7n9-another-case-in-beijing.html

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: H7N9: Another case in Beijing?

Re: H7N9: Another case in Beijing?

April 14, 2013

H7N9: Another case in Beijing?

This is why I don't like computer translations. The Beijing Municipal Health Bureau just posted a story on its website: Active screening for the monitoring found one case of human infection with H7N9 avian flu virus. Here's a translated excerpt:

/.../

If I understand this report, a family living across the street from the Yao family has a four-year-old boy who has tested positive for H7N9 but is showing no clinical symptoms. He was tested with a lot of other poultry dealers' family members. If he's asymptomatic, that's probably a bigger story than if he's sick.

http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/2013/04/h7n9-another-case-in-beijing.html

Here is the government of Beijing translation. It appears a small child who is asymptomatic has tested positive for H7N9. Apparently his parents work in the poultry industry and may be a neighbor of the 7 year old who is in a Beijing hospital improving:



Active screening monitoring found one case of human infection with the H7N9 avian flu virus carriers
Time :2013 -04-15 Source: Beijing Municipal Health Bureau Views: 42
30 points, on April 14, 2013, the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau received a the Beijing CDC report found a father first case of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza confirmed cases of trafficking poultry populations Active screening monitoring 4-year-old bamboo surname boys H7N9 avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive. The boy is currently no clinical symptoms. Clinical expert in Beijing, according to its clinical manifestations, epidemiological investigation and laboratory test results, the overall judgment of the boy man infected with the H7N9 avian flu virus carriers. Out of concern for the health of the children, the Ministry of Health goalkeeper sent to the Ditan hospital for close medical observation.
The active screening monitoring implementation by the Chaoyang District CDC, milk range including Chaoyang District, Cuigezhuang is the East Village poultry farmers a total of 24 people, the way of collecting a throat swab specimens were sent to the Beijing CDC for testing. The boys' parents engaged in the sale of poultry fish, its across the street neighbor bought the family of the first confirmed cases of trafficking chicken.
The discovery carriers, Beijing extends from the passive "syndromic surveillance" to carry out the initiative pathogen monitoring of high-risk groups "to further improve the prevention and control work initiative, the forward-looking results achieved. Expert analysis, monitoring the active screening results with some reference to judge the virulence of the H7N9 avian flu virus and susceptible populations.


http://www.bjhb.gov.cn/wsxw/201304/t20130415_59472.htm

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: H7N9: Another case in Beijing?

Re: H7N9: Another case in Beijing?

[Source: Beijing Municipal Health Bureau, full text: (LINK). Automatic translation from Chinese.]

H7N9, Beijing: One possible additional birdflu case

Time :2013-04-15 article Source: Beijing Municipal Health Bureau Views: 44


April 14, 2011 20, 2013 30 pm, the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau received a the Beijing CDC report, in the first case of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza confirmed cases father trafficking monitoring of the poultry population active screening and found a 4-year-old bamboo boy surnamed H7N9 avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive. The boy is currently no clinical symptoms.

Beijing clinical expert groups according to their clinical manifestations, epidemiological investigation and laboratory test results, the overall judgment that the boy's human infection of H7N9 avian influenza virus carriers.

Out of concern for the health of the children, the Ministry of Health goalkeeper sent to a the Ditan hospital for close medical observation.

The active screening monitoring implemented by the Chaoyang District Center for Disease Control, covering the Township in Chaoyang District Cui milk East Village poultry farmers a total of 24 people, is collected throat swab specimens were sent to the Beijing CDC for testing.

The parents of the boy engaged in poultry fish trafficking, its neighbor across the street bought the first confirmed cases of families selling chicken.

The discovery of the carriers, Beijing extends from the passive "syndromic surveillance" to high-risk groups to carry out the initiative pathogen monitoring, to further improve the prevention and control work initiative, the results achieved by the forward-looking.

Expert analysis, the active screening monitoring results with some reference to determine the virulence of H7N9 avian influenza virus and susceptible populations.
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[Diane Morin]

Re: China - Child, 4, 2nd H7N9 case in Beijing confirmed - asymptomatic

Re: China - Child, 4, 2nd H7N9 case in Beijing confirmed - asymptomatic

Machine translation

2013 04 14, 2010 02:40 Beijing Times

　Children with their parents at home, isolation

/.../

It is understood that the children with a primary school student, before the onset of health, but do not go to school two weeks. The the Shunyi District Board of Education has comprehensive disinfection of patients where school classes, the to immediately monitor teachers and students have had close contact with the student, and the campus of the requirements of the region to strengthen the morning afternoon inspection. Up to now, it has not been found infected with the H7N9 suspected symptoms.

/.../

　Children can not go far away to play

　　Yaojia diagonally opposite Pengcheng cooked food franchise business as usual, but no longer sell chicken. The shop owner said that the original store to sell Texas braised chicken and VI and Square duck, but since the avian flu will not dare to sell enter arrival. I thought so far away from the bird flu, but he did not expect the first cases in Beijing in its own ramp door, afraid to pour out of the question, is to let the children away from the far point of live chickens, ducks and birds can not go far away to play. "

　　She said that the day before yesterday afternoon, armed immunization to the whole street spraying disinfectant. West Center Street, north side of the road a household housing some pigeons in the pigeon holes has been "no-fly."

http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2013-04-14/024026819105.shtml

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: China - Child, 4, 2nd H7N9 case in Beijing confirmed - asymptomatic

Re: China - Child, 4, 2nd H7N9 case in Beijing confirmed - asymptomatic

[Source: Ifeng, full text: (LINK). Automatic translation from Chinese.]

H7N9, Beijing: An asymptomatic boy infected with birdflu virus

Beijing case of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza virus carriers

2013 04 15, 2011 03:36 Source: Xinhua News Agency


Xinhua Viewpoint: Beijing case of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza virus carriers] reporters from the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau was informed that at 3:00 on the 15th, father in Beijing first case of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza confirmed cases of trafficking in the poultry population monitoring, found a 4-year-old boy with H7N9 avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive.

Beijing clinical expert group overall judgment that the boy's human infection of H7N9 avian influenza virus carriers without clinical symptoms.
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[NS1]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 1 case / 0 deaths (Total 61 / 13)

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 1 case / 0 deaths (Total 61 / 13)

Occupational Risk Categories
for
Emergent H7N9​

• Retired (Elderly)
• Poultry Retail Sales
• Food Service Delivery (Chefs)

Young children of parents / grandparents in those groups are worthy of ongoing surveillance, especially if the child in this report is determined to be asymptomatic and infective.

We need gene sequences from the boy's infection.

Original Research

• Ongoing Sequence Analysis - Open-Access, Full-Text
• GISAID Citation

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 1 case / 0 deaths (Total 61 / 13)

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 1 case / 0 deaths (Total 61 / 13)

April 15 new confirmed cases of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza cases in Jiangsu

Published :2013 -4-15

Health Department of Jiangsu Province, April 15 Bulletin, Jiangsu newly confirmed cases of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza.

　　Patient Kongmou, male, 60 years old, now living in Kunshan City. On April 15, the provincial expert group diagnosed cases of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza confirmed cases. Where critical condition in a hospital in Suzhou. After investigation, close contacts of the cases a total of 3 people, far showed no abnormality.

　　In addition, the Nanjing case of human infection confirmed cases of the H7N9 avian flu Gumou female, 77 years old, and hypertension have done rectal surgery. By the provincial expert group consultations, rescue invalid death on the evening of 14 November.
http://www.jswst.gov.cn/gb/jsswst/wsyw/snxw/userobject1ai32354.html

Jiangsu, one case of H7N9 avian influenza in critically ill patients have been transferred to the general ward rehabilitation

Published :2013 -4-15



Patients 陆某, male, 79 years old. April 5 confirmed human infection of H7N9 avian influenza, and transferred to the intensive care unit treatment of Nanjing Second Hospital in critical condition, on April 6. Several consultation of provincial-level expert group organized by the Provincial Health Department, the rescue efforts, the patient's condition improved markedly, two H7N9 nucleic acid test results were negative. Consultation by the Expert Group, agreed to lift the quarantine, April 15 patients transferred from the intensive care unit to a general ward rehabilitation.

　　Patients admitted to hospital in critical condition, diagnosis lungs severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, heart failure, a large number of bloody pleural effusion, liver dysfunction after admission Tamiflu antiviral therapy, continuous mechanical ventilation, antibiotics and supportive care and other comprehensive treatment of inflammation of the lungs in patients gradually control, respiratory failure to correct, cardiac function returned to normal, bloody pleural effusion eliminate, the temperature dropped to normal respiratory function improved significantly. Now successfully evacuated the ventilator, oxygen saturation in patients with low-flow nasal cannula oxygen maintained at more than 95% of peripheral blood leukocytes was back to normal, the reexamination chest CT lungs inflammation apparent absorption, pleural effusion elimination. Currently, patients with breathing steady, significant improvement in appetite and mental state, and has been able to get out of bed.

　　(Second Hospital of Nanjing)

　　http://www.jswst.gov.cn/gb/jsswst/wsyw/snxw/userobject1ai32355.html

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 1 case / 0 deaths (Total 61 / 13)

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 1 case / 0 deaths (Total 61 / 13)

I think that the fatality is our case #45, while the man showing signs of recovery is our case #16 here http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202713

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Update on number of suspected human cases of Influenza A (H7) notified to CHP


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (April 15) provided an update on the latest number of suspected human cases of Influenza A (H7) notified to the CHP, including suspected human cases of Influenza A (H7) fulfilling reporting criteria, as well as the remaining ones not fulfilling reporting criteria.

From noon yesterday (April 14) to noon today, the CHP received notification of one case which fulfilled the reporting criteria of suspected human cases of Influenza A (H7), and three cases which did not fulfil the reporting criteria. Please see case details in the attachment.

This brings the total number of notifications received by the CHP since March 31, 2013, of cases which fulfilled the reporting criteria of suspected human cases of Influenza A (H7) to 11, and the total number of notifications which did not fulfil the reporting criteria to 27.

"Influenza A (H7) is a statutorily notifiable infectious disease in Hong Kong and no confirmed human cases of Influenza A (H7N9) have been recorded so far," a spokesman for the DH stressed.

The spokesman also reminded doctors to report any suspected cases of Influenza A (H7) to the CHP, and the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP is ready to receive and test specimens whenever necessary.

The public may visit the Avian Influenza page of the CHP (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/24244.html) for further information.


Ends/Monday, April 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:49
NNNN
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[Giuseppe]

H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

[Source: Ifeng, full text: (LINK). Automatic translation from Chinese.]

H7N9, Zhejiang: One new confirmed birdflu case

2013 04 15, 2011 18:42 Source: CCTV


CCTV News: Zhejiang new cases of human infection with the H7N9 avian flu cases - Zhejiang Health Department briefing today, new cases of human infection with the H7N9 avian flu cases in Zhejiang Province as of 16:00 today, patients Wang, female, 68 years old, who lives in Huzhou.

So far, the country has been informed diagnosed 62 cases of human infection with the H7N9 avian influenza.

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[Giuseppe]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

Source: RTHK, full text: http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/expressnews/20130415/news_20130415_55_915312.htm - Automatic translation from Chinese.


Jiangsu and Zhejiang add, respectively, one new H7N9 case

2013-04-15 HKT 18:37


Jiangsu and Zhejiang were more a person infected with the H7N9 avian influenza, the situation is critical.

Zhejiang patients is 68-year-old female farmer in Huzhou, incidence on the 3rd of this month, are treated in a hospital in Hangzhou.

Jiangsu patients is 60-year-old man living in Kunshan City, Suzhou a hospital for treatment. His three close contacts have not abnormal.

Nanjing earlier confirmed to have been infected with the 77-year-old female patient, last night rescue died. She has done cancer surgery and suffering from high blood pressure.

National cases increased to 62, in which 14 people were killed.


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[sharon sanders]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

The Hong Kong heath department was a day late in reporting the 1st Beijing case. We will see what they do with the new case. In any event, we are an independent group and I have no problem if our confirmed list deviates from the official reports. If a patient tests positive via nucleic acid for H7N9 then we will include this patient on the confirmed list. The government of Beijing included the first case after a local consensus that included both the test result and the clinical observations. I wonder how they are going to classify asymptomatic cases in this regard.

Thanks everyone for everything that you are doing!

:tiphat:

 

[Shiloh]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

Source: http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/index/content/2013-04/15/content_4365504.htm?node=20908

The Mainland 62 cases of people infected with the H7N9 bird flu cases were reported 14 deaths
Source: Xinhua Published :2013 -04-15 19:23:09

Original title: Zhejiang new cases of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza confirmed 62 cases

Xinhua News Agency, Hangzhou, April 15 (Reporters Zhang Yue and Zhu Han) - Informed the Health Department of Zhejiang Province April 15, as of April 15, 2011, 4:00 PM EDT, Zhejiang new cases of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza. So far, Zhejiang Total diagnosed infections in 16 cases, including two cases of death.

Patients with Wang, female, 68 years old, farmer, who lives in Huzhou onset on April 3, now a hospital treatment. Detected by the Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control, human infection with the H7N9 avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive patient specimens. Zhejiang Provincial Health Department organized experts on the clinical manifestations, epidemiological data and laboratory test results to discuss the diagnosis of human infection confirmed cases of the H7N9 avian flu. Currently, the patient was seriously ill, the hospital is actively treatment. (End)

As at 17:00 on the 15th, the country reported a total of 62 cases of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza confirmed cases, 14 deaths. Among them, two cases in Henan, Beijing, Shanghai, 24 cases (10 deaths), Jiangsu 17 cases (2 deaths), Zhejiang, 16 cases (2 deaths), Anhui 2 cases (1 death).

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

The Hong Kong heath department was a day late in reporting the 1st Beijing case. We will see what they do with the new case. In any event, we are an independent group and I have no problem if our confirmed list deviates from the official reports. If a patient tests positive via nucleic acid for H7N9 then we will include this patient on the confirmed list. The government of Beijing included the first case after a local consensus that included both the test result and the clinical observations. I wonder how they are going to classify asymptomatic cases in this regard.

Thanks everyone for everything that you are doing!

:tiphat:

"Nucleic acid amplification tests, including rRT-PCR, are the most sensitive and specific influenza diagnostic tests..."

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/diagnostic_tests.htm

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 3 cases / 1 death (Total 63 / 14)

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 3 cases / 1 death (Total 63 / 14)

From Ian Mackay, PhD virologist at the University of Queensland from his blog:

(my underlining and red color)

snip
Breaking news of interest to virology

<li style="margin-bottom: 15px;">Added 15.04.13. Multiple reports of the first asymptomatic case in a 4-year old male (4M) living across the street from the previously H7N9-POS, 7F. This may demystify a lot of H7N9 confusion as well as seriously increase the threat level for H7N9 spread...a stealth virus not only in poultry but humans is a new game. As I've suggested earlier, the widespread use of sensitive molecular detection methods, not just on the cases with the most severe clinical signs and symptoms, is absolutely essential to detect mild or asymptomatic cases of infection. The use of PCR in this way seems to have done just that. I'll keep a close eye on this story but I suspect it will result in a drastic change to the landscape of detection numbers and epidemiology. Symptoms alone tell only a small part of the story of any respiratory virus. This may strengthen the case for H7N9 having been in the community for much longer than the pneumonia cases officially commencing back in Feb, suggest.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 3 cases / 1 death (Total 63 / 14)

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 3 cases / 1 death (Total 63 / 14)

I believe this is a new case in Anhui..attempting to verify:

Source: http://china.zjol.com.cn/05china/system/2013/04/15/019281602.shtml

Anhui new cases of H7N9 avian flu cases in patients in critical condition
Zhejiang Online news site April 15, 2013 19:56:26

Anhui Provincial Health Department, Xinhua News Bulletin, the 15th province's newly confirmed cases of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza. Patients Chen, male, 60 years old, Tianchang people, retirees, the 15th confirmed human infection of H7N9 avian influenza confirmed cases. Patients in critical condition, has been isolated for treatment. Their close contacts, 25 per capita is not unusual.

Source: Xinhua Author: Bao Xiaojing Editor: Wang Xiao Yu

 

[Shiloh]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 3 cases / 1 death (Total 63 / 14)

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 3 cases / 1 death (Total 63 / 14)

Source: http://www.dfdaily.com/html/33/2013/4/15/979354.shtml

Anhui Province new case of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza

Anhui Provincial Health Department website Posted at 2013-04-15 20:13
Anhui Provincial Health Department Bulletin, April 15 in Anhui Province confirmed case of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza. So far, Anhui Province reported a total of three cases of human infection with the H7N9 avian flu, and 1 died.

Anhui Provincial Health Department Bulletin, April 15 in Anhui Province confirmed case of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza. So far, Anhui Province reported a total of three cases of human infection with the H7N9 avian flu, and 1 died.

Patients Chen, male, 60 years old, Tianchang people, retirees, a company in the local guard. Patients with disease, Tianchang a hospital on April 11 to April 10. April 14, Chuzhou CDC influenza the network laboratory detection of influenza virus in patients with Universal nucleic acid positive, H7 subtypes positive; April 15, the provincial CDC detects review man infected with the H7N9 avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive. The same day, the provincial expert group based on national human infection with the H7N9 avian flu clinic program (2013 Edition) ", and the diagnosis of the cases of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza confirmed cases. Patients in critical condition, has been transferred to a hospital in Chuzhou isolation treatment. Close contact with a total of 25 people, until now, were not unusual.

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 4 cases / 1 death (Total 64 / 14)

Anhui Province new case of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza

Published :2013-04-15 Source: Read 644 times




Anhui Provincial Health Department Bulletin, April 15 in Anhui Province confirmed case of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza. So far, Anhui Province reported a total of three cases of human infection with the H7N9 avian flu, and 1 died.

Patients Chen, male, 60 years old, Tianchang people, retirees, a company in the local guard. Patients with disease, Tianchang a hospital on April 11 to April 10. April 14, Chuzhou CDC influenza the network laboratory detection of influenza virus in patients with Universal nucleic acid positive, H7 subtypes positive; April 15, the provincial CDC detects review man infected with the H7N9 avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive. The same day, the provincial expert group based on national human infection with the H7N9 avian flu clinic program (2013 Edition) ", and the diagnosis of the cases of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza confirmed cases. Patients in critical condition, has been transferred to a hospital in Chuzhou isolation treatment. Close contact with a total of 25 people, until now, were not unusual.

(The Information Office of the Provincial Health Department)

http://www.ahwst.gov.cn/chn200909261718343/article.jsp?articleId=84997744

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 4 cases / 1 death (Total 64 / 14)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Three more human cases of Influenza A (H7N9) verified by NHFPC


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) verified with the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) today (April 15) one human case of Influenza A (H7N9) in Jiangsu, one in Zhejiang and one in Anhui.

The case in Jiangsu involves a 60-year-old man who is receiving treatment in hospital. His current condition is critical. The three close contacts of the man are asymptomatic so far.

The case in Zhejiang involves a 68-year-old woman. She is receiving treatment in hospital. Her current condition is critical.

The case in Anhui involves a 60-year-old man who is receiving treatment in hospital. His current condition is critical. The 25 close contacts of the man are asymptomatic so far.

Specimens of the three cases tested positive for H7N9 upon laboratory testing by the Mainland health authorities.

As of 9pm today, a total of 63 cases have been laboratory confirmed with Influenza A (H7N9) in Shanghai (24 cases), Jiangsu (17 cases), Zhejiang (16 cases), Anhui (three cases), Beijing (one case) and Henan (two cases).

A spokesman for the DH stressed that the CHP is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland health authorities for more case information as well as to keep a close eye on the latest advice from the World Health Organization.

The spokesman also reminded travellers, especially those returning from Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Beijing and Henan, with fever or respiratory symptoms to wear facial masks immediately, seek medical attention, and reveal their travel history to doctors. Healthcare professionals should also pay special attention to those who might have had contact with birds, poultry or their droppings in the affected areas.

"No human case of Influenza A (H7N9) has been identified so far in Hong Kong," the spokesman reiterated.

"We would like to reassure the public that the Government will be as transparent as possible in the dissemination of information on human cases of Influenza A (H7N9). Whenever there is a suspected case, the CHP will release information to the public as soon as possible," the spokesman added.

Members of the public should remain vigilant and are reminded to take heed of the following preventive advice against avian influenza:

• Avoid direct contact with poultry and birds or their droppings. If contact has been made, they should immediately wash hands thoroughly with soap and water;
• 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 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;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with tissue and put it into covered dustbins;
• Avoid crowded places and contact with fever patients; and
• Wear a mask when respiratory symptoms develop or you need to take care of fever patients.

The public may visit the Avian Influenza page of the CHP (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/24244.html) for further information.

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Ends/Monday, April 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:10
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[sharon sanders]

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

Re: H7N9, China: Cumulative number of today confirmed and suspected cases (April 15 2013): 2 cases / 1 death (Total 62 / 14)

"Nucleic acid amplification tests, including rRT-PCR, are the most sensitive and specific influenza diagnostic tests..."

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/diagnostic_tests.htm

Vincent Racaniello, PhD on the nucleic acid PCR test via email:


"PCR can be an effective and reliable diagnostic test for detecting virus infections, if the primers and reaction conditions are properly designed. Many diagnostic laboratories use this as a tool to rapidly detect viruses in clinical specimens, and it has replaced viral culture in many cases. It does have some disadvantages, the main one being that since PCR is so sensitive (it can detect very small quantities of nucleic acids), it is prone to contamination. Therefore the laboratories that use PCR to diagnose viral infections must be very careful to avoid this problem.

It is important to note that PCR detects only small segments of viral nucleic acid and does not prove that an infectious virus is actually replicating in the patient. Therefore PCR results must be interpreted with great caution. If, for example, PCR detects influenza virus in a patient with a flu-like illness, chances are good that the virus is replicating in the patient and causing the respiratory symptoms (however this can only be proven, in my opinion, by serological assays using acute and convalescent sera showing a rise in antibody titers against the virus). On the other hand, conclusions about etiology are more difficult to determine if viral sequences are detected by PCR in the absence of clinical symptoms."