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Avian Influenza in China (Update 1)

08 August 2017

The National Health and Family Planning Commission of China (NHFPC) has reported 3 confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus to the World Health Organisation (WHO)Link. All of these cases had exposure to live poultry markets.

On 11 July, NHFPC reported a 35-year-old man in Xinjiang who became unwell on 23 June 2017 and died on 30 Jun 2017. This was the first reported case in the province since April 2015.

On 14 July, NHFPC reported a 54-year-old man from Yunnan who developed symptoms on 23 Jun 2017. He was hospitalized with severe pneumonia on 28 Jun 2017.

On 21 July, NHFPC reported a 62-year-old woman from Jiangsu province who became ill on 12 Jul 2017 and was admitted with severe pneumonia on 13 Jul 2017.

The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP)Link has reported an additional case, a 58 year old man from Fujian, also with poultry exposure, who became unwell on 19 July 2017. Added to the total reported to WHO since early 2013, this brings the number of H7N9 cases to 1558.

Advice to Travellers

Travellers who may be visiting areas with an outbreak of avian influenza or human avian influenza should be advised to:

  • Avoid contact with live poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, quail) or any wild birds and avoid contact with surfaces that may be contaminated with poultry/bird droppings, e.g. commercial poultry farms, backyard poultry farms and live poultry markets.
  • Avoid contact with sick or dead poultry and birds.
  • Maintain strict hand hygiene; one of the most important ways of preventing the spread of infection is careful and frequent hand washing. If soap, clean water and towels are not available, alcohol hand rub can be used.
  • Avoid eating or preparing uncooked or undercooked poultry or poultry products including food containing uncooked poultry blood; the virus is killed by proper cooking. All poultry, including eggs must be thoroughly cooked.
  • Do not attempt to live bring poultry or poultry products back into the country.

An advice sheet recommending ways of reducing the risk from avian influenza has been prepared for travellers to areas reporting human cases of avian influenza.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has advised that 'It is not recommended that travellers take Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) with them'.

  • In special circumstances, antiviral drugs may be considered for those perceived to be at high risk.

At present no vaccine is available against avian influenza in humans.

  • Initial steps have been taken in the process of vaccine production but the vaccine cannot be finalised until it is clear which viral subtype(s) is required. It is thought that a vaccine could be made available within 4 months when needed.

For further information see Avian Influenza