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As of 29 Apr 2013, the National Health and Family Planning Commission, China notified WHO of an additional 17 laboratory confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.
The cases include 12 males and 5 females in the following provinces: Jiangxi (7), Zhejiang (4), Fujian (2), Hunan (2), Henan (1) and Shandong (1).
To date, a total of 126 laboratory confirmed cases including 24 deaths have been reported to WHO. Contacts of the confirmed cases are being closely monitored.
Until the source of infection has been identified and controlled, it is expected that there will be further cases of human infection with the virus. So far, there is no evidence of sustained 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.
Advice for Travellers
Avian influenza virus (H7N9) infection is unusual in humans but appears to cause severe illness in those infected. Preventive measures are the same as those for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1).
Advice for Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals should be on the alert for travellers returning from China with fever plus respiratory syptoms or any other severe illness or travellers who develop such illness within 7 days of return from China.
WHO is producing a weekly report on the number of reported confirmed human cases for influenza A(H7N9), giving the geographical location and cumulative number of cases reported per month.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) also publishes a daily Epidemiological Update on avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China.
