First case! Bird flu H7N9 spreads to 2 in mainland China

The Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention of the Department of Health pointed out this evening (31st) that three people in Shanghai and Anhui, mainland China, were infected with H7N9 avian influenza. The Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention has upgraded epidemic prevention measures such as airport and port quarantine, and reminded the medical community to be more vigilant. He also called on people traveling abroad to take precautions. According to information released by the Health and Family Planning Commission of Mainland China on March 31, it confirmed that three people were infected with the H7N9 avian influenza virus on March 30. Two of them died and one was in critical condition. Some cases had contact with poultry, and three of them had not been infected with the virus. An epidemiological link was found. According to monitoring data from agricultural administration units, the H7 avian influenza virus strains in Taiwanese poultry are mainly H7N3 and H7N7, and no H7N9 influenza virus has been detected.

The Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention has currently strengthened quarantine and surveillance measures in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. Those who have fever and have traveled to mainland China within 10 days and have a history of contact with poultry will be sent to Hospital examinations will be carried out until infection with avian influenza is ruled out. The CDC has also issued a circular to the medical community to remind doctors to report cases of severe pneumonia of unknown origin, pneumonia clusters, medical staff infected with pneumonia of unknown origin, etc. to health authorities and to strengthen infection control measures in hospitals. The bureau also reminded Chinese people to avoid contact with poultry when traveling to mainland China, and especially not to pick up bird carcasses.

In addition, when eating chicken, duck, and goose (including eggs), attention must be paid to fully cooked food; and personal hygiene measures such as hand washing should be implemented to avoid infection. If you develop fever or flu-like symptoms when returning to your country, you should inform airline personnel and quarantine personnel at the airport and port. If you develop the above symptoms after returning to your country, you should wear a mask and seek medical attention as soon as possible, and tell your doctor your travel history so that the doctor can provide appropriate advice. All medical services.

Data show that the three people infected with the H7N9 avian influenza virus were 87-year-old and 27-year-old male patients in Shanghai, who died on February 19 and February 27 respectively. She became ill on March 15 and died on March 4 and March 10. The other person was a 35-year-old female from Chuzhou City, Anhui Province. She became ill on March 15 and is currently in critical condition.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Mainland China isolated the H7N9 avian influenza virus from the specimens of the cases on March 29. All three cases developed respiratory infection symptoms such as fever and cough, and then developed severe pneumonia and difficulty breathing. No epidemiological link was found among the 3 persons.

According to monitoring data from agricultural administration units, the H7 avian influenza virus strains in Taiwan’s poultry are mainly H7N3 and H7N7, and no H7N9 influenza virus has been detected. Since October 2012, the CDC has examined more than 3,000 specimens from influenza-like cases, and no H7N9 influenza virus has been detected. In the same period, it has examined 136 specimens from pneumonia cases of unknown cause, and H3N2 viruses were detected in 3 of them. H1N1 virus was detected in 1 case, and no H7N9 influenza virus was detected.

For the latest epidemic and travel-related infectious disease information, please refer to the "International Travel Information" section of the bureau's website (cdc.gov), or call the toll-free public epidemic notification and consultation hotline 1922, such as The phone cannot dial the short code phone number, please dial 0800-001922 epidemic prevention hotline instead.