Renewed Avian Influenza Deaths in China

Number of bird flu deaths continues to rise

04/02/2014

The number of bird flu infections in China is rising continuously. The Chinese news agency „Xinhua“ reports three new bird flu deaths, bringing the total number of fatal H7N9 infections to 26 since the beginning of the year. The deaths, however, are only the tip of the iceberg. Thus, a total of well over 100 new infections have been registered since the beginning of the year and the health authorities warn against a further increase in the course of the Chinese New Year.

In Guangdong Province, southern China, a 76-year-old man from Yangjiang City and a 52-year-old man from Huizhou City have died as a result of an infection with the bird flu virus H7N9, according to the State Health Office. In East China's Jiangsu Province, a patient also died early Saturday morning as a result of H7N9 infection, the news agency reports „Xinhua“. The World Health Organization also provides information on the latest avian influenza infections and warns travelers about visits to poultry farms, bird markets, entering areas where poultry are slaughtered and contact with poultry faeces. Although the dreaded interpersonal transmission of the H7N9 virus is currently not yet present, the experts have been warning for months about possible mutations of the virus, which could subsequently also be passed on from person to person in the worst case scenario.

Further increase in bird flu infections is expected
In the coming weeks, the number of bird flu infections and deaths may well rise dramatically as millions of people and poultry travel across the country, health officials warn. The population is urged to seek medical attention at the first onset of possible bird flu symptoms, such as fever, cough, or sore throat. (Fp)

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