http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...htm?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed " The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received notification from the National Health and Family Planning Commission (the Commission) today (March 31) concerning three confirmed human cases of influenza A (H7N9). A CHP spokesman said the two cases in Shanghai were two men aged 87 and 27, who passed away on March 4 and 10 respectively. As regards the case in Anhui, the 35-year-old female patient is now in critical condition. Laboratory tests on the three patients' specimens by the Mainland health authorities yielded a positive result for H7N9. According to the Commission, the 27-year-old man was a butcher while the 35-year-old woman had exposure history to poultry before the onset of symptoms. No epidemiological link between the three cases was identified. So far, no abnormality was detected among the 88 close contacts of three cases. " It may hurt sentiment of corn and soybean complex further.
From WHO update http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_04_04/en/index.html Human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China - update 4 April 2013 - 4 April 2013 â On 4 April 2013 (14:00 CET), the Chinese health authorities notified WHO of an additional four laboratory-confirmed cases, including three deaths, due to human infection with influenza A(H7N9). The three fatal cases, all men, are a 38-year-old with illness onset on 7 March 2013 from Zhejiang , a 64-year-old with illness onset on 29 March from Zhejiang, and a 48-year-old with illness onset on 28 March from Shanghai. The fourth patient is a 67-year-old man with illness onset on 25 March 2013 from Zhejiang He is in critical condition. There is no link between the laboratory-confirmed cases. To date, the total number of confirmed cases of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China is 11, including 5 deaths. More than 400 close contacts of the confirmed cases are being closely monitored. Thus far, none of them have developed any symptoms of illness. The Chinese government is actively investigating this event and has heightened disease surveillance. Retrospective testing of recently reported cases with severe respiratory infection may uncover additional cases that were previously unrecognized. An inter-government task force has been formally established, with the National Health and Family Planning Commission leading the coordination along with the Ministry of Agriculture and other key ministries. The animal health sector has intensified investigations into the possible sources and reservoirs of the virus. WHO is in contact with national authorities and is following the event closely. The WHO-coordinated international response is also focusing on work with WHO Collaborating Centres for Reference and Research on Influenza and other partners to ensure that information is available and that materials are developed for diagnosis and treatment and vaccine development. No vaccine is currently available for this subtype of the influenza virus. Preliminary test results provided by the WHO Collaborating Centre in China suggest that the virus is susceptible to the neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir). At this time there is no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission. WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied.
From WHO http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_04_16/en/index.html Human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China - update 16 April 2013 - As of 16 April 2013 (18:00 CET), the National Health and Family Planning Commission notified WHO of an additional three laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus. Of the latest laboratory confirmed cases, one is from Jiangsu Province, one from Zhejiang Province, and one from Anhui Province. The patients include: a 60-year-old man from Jiangsu who became ill on 6 April 2013; a 68-year-old woman from Zhejiang who became ill on 3 April 2013; a 60-year-old man from Anhui who became ill on 10 April 2013. Additionally one patient earlier reported from Jiangsu has died. To date, a total of 63 patients have been laboratory-confirmed with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China; including 14 deaths. More than a thousand close contacts of the confirmed cases are being closely monitored. Investigations into the possible sources of infection and reservoirs of the virus are ongoing. Until the source of infection has been identified, it is expected that there will be further cases of human infection with the virus in China. So far, there is no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission. WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied. About this Disease Outbreak News 1. WHO is currently publishing information on laboratory confirmed cases received through the official notification from the Chinese National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Point once a day. This formal notification and publication follows verification of the information, and may therefore come after, or not include, some cases reported through public media and other sources. 2. To date, there is limited information to determine whether the reported number of cases represents some or all of the cases actually occurring. As some relatively mild cases of illness have now been reported, it is possible that there are other such cases that have not been identified and reported. 3. If the current pattern of sporadic infections continues, WHO will cease frequent reporting of case numbers, and focus its Disease Outbreak News on new developments or changes in the pattern or presentation of infections.