Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China – update

Since March 2013, when the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection was first detected in humans, a total of 1567 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including at least 615 deaths1, have been reported to WHO (Figure 1) in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005). In the latest wave (the 6th wave since Oct 2017), only three human cases have been detected; meanwhile there have been generally fewer A(H7N9) virus detections in poultry and environment samples, according to various reports from mainland China and China, Hong Kong SAR. WHO has been monitoring the situation, and conducting risk assessments2 through its Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), which comprises more than 150 institutions in 114 countries. These institutions actively and routinely exchange information and materials, e.g. reference viruses (seasonal, zoonotic and pandemic viruses), serology panels and reagents for risk assessment and development of countermeasures.
Source: WHO Avian Influenza - Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: avian influenza [subject], bird flu, avian flu, fowl plague, influenza in birds, avian bird flu, h5n1, disease outbreaks [subject], outbreak, outbreaks, epidemics, pandemic, disease control, influenza [subject], flu, seasonal influenza, pandemic influenza Source Type: news