In China, the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control announced that since Jan. 2017, the city has seen 13 human H7N9 avian influenza cases to date, according to a City CDC news release (computer translated).

Image/Goodfreephotos_com via pixabay
Image/Goodfreephotos_com via pixabay

Of the 13 cases reported, seven are considered locally acquired, while the remainder are classified as imported cases.

This is different than what we have seen since early 2013.

As Avian Flu Diary reports, up until a few weeks ago, Beijing had been largely exempt from H7N9  – reporting only 9 cases over the first four epidemic waves – with most of those imported from neighboring provinces.

Based on epidemiological survey, the seven locally acquired cases were reported to have live birds or live poultry market exposure history.

The Beijing Municipal CDC reminds the public to reduce exposure to birds, increase personal protection and to develop good health habits.

Concerning the H7N9 avian influenza outbreak in China, The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced today that the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China said that 27 additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9), including seven deaths, were recorded from April 14 to 20.

The 16 male and 11 female patients, aged from 34 to 79, had onset from March 22 to April 18, of whom seven were from Beijing, five from Hunan, three each from Hebei and Sichuan, two each from Shandong and Zhejiang, and one each from Anhui, Gansu, Guangxi, Jiangxi and Liaoning. Among them, 21 were known to have exposure to poultry, poultry markets or mobile stalls.

To date, a total of 1393 laboratory-confirmed human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus have been reported through IHR notification since early 2013.

The CHP offers the following preventive measures:

  • 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 fecal 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.

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