UPDATE ON AVIAN INFLUENZA A (H7N9) IN CHINA

Affected places:

Eight (8) Provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Henan, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shandong and Zhejiang
Two (2) Municipalities: Beijing and Shanghai.

Number of cases:

To date, there are a total of 131 laboratory confirmed human cases with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus including 36 fatalities in China reported.

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.


Symptoms:

Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus has resulted in severe respiratory illness.

Source and Mode of Transmission Avian Influenza A (H7N9):

Both the source of infection and the mode of transmission are uncertain. The Chinese health authorities are still investigating and heightened disease surveillance. So far, there is no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission.

Vaccine for Avian Influenza A (H7N9) virus:

No vaccine for the prevention of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus infections is currently available. The virus H7N9 is susceptible to
Neuraminidase Inhibitors (OSELTAMIVIR & ZANAMIVIR).

Travel advice to China and Taiwan:

There is no recommendation against travel to China and Taiwan at this time by WHO.


BAHAGIAN KAWALAN PENYAKIT
KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN MALAYSIA
18 May 2013