Officials with the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province announced an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Shantou.
The patient is a 73-year-old man who lives in Shantou, Guangdong. He had poultry contact before onset of symptoms on February 2. He attended a local hospital for management on February 5 and his condition was serious. His two close contacts put under medical observation have not revealed any abnormalities so far.
“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 Hong Kong CHP said.
From 2013 to date, 703 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities.
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