The Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission announced 14 additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9), including one death, were recorded from March 31 to April 6.

The 10 male and four female patients, aged from 38 to 70, had their onset from March 14 to April 4. Three of the cases were in Beijing, two cases each in Hunan and Jiangsu, and one case each in Chongqing, Fujian, Guizhou, Henan, Shandong, Tibet and Zhejiang. Among them, 13 were known to have had exposure to poultry or poultry markets.

China has now reported at least 598 cases and at least 177 deaths in the fifth H7N9 wave, according to CIDRAP.

Avian influenza is caused by those influenza viruses that mainly affect birds and poultry, such as chickens or ducks, according to the CHP.

Clinical presentation of avian influenza in humans includes eye infection (conjunctivitis), flu-like symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches) or severe respiratory illness (e.g. chest infection). The incubation period ranges from 7 to 10 days. The more virulent forms can result in respiratory failure, multi-organ failure and even death.

Visit myLABBox.com for easy, convenient and fast screening solutions for prevalent STDs, all in the privacy of your own home.

Influenza A (H7N9) virus/CDC
Influenza A (H7N9) virus/CDC