China added 10 cases of H7N9 infection in 1 day

In the context of massive influx of people returning home and many poultry being moved during the Lunar New Year, the H7N9 epidemic is likely to break out strongly in China when only on January 24, health officials in the country recorded received 10 new cases.

>>>Warning for H7N9 flu can spread from person to person

Of the new cases, there are 7 cases in Zhejiang, the remaining 3 cases in Beijing, Guangdong and Fujian. Previously, on January 23, in Zhejiang, there were five new cases among six cases of the whole country. Thus, the total number of people infected in Zhejiang Province has increased to 44 since the beginning of 2014 so far with the age range from 20 to 79.

At present, the Hangzhou capital of Zhejiang and Shanghai provinces has ordered to suspend the operation of poultry markets living in densely populated areas, conduct disinfection around the market and call for close monitoring of poultry poultry at farms, parks . in an effort to curb the spread of H7N9 virus. Earlier, Shanghai City announced 2 deaths, including 1 medical staff.

Thus, only in the first month of 2014, China reported about 50 cases of H7N9 infection. Experts say, H7N9 is still difficult to control because infected birds do not show symptoms and most cases are related to contact with live poultry. However, the risk of this strain of influenza can change to another form that allows them to easily spread from person to person being warned.

The cold weather and the large number of birds bought and sold on the occasion of Lunar New Year increase the risk of bird flu infection.(Photo: thedalleschronicle.com)

'This is the first winter we witnessed the arrival of H7N9. The number of cases is increasing rapidly and we think this is basically due to the cold weather. However, the situation is further complicated in the context of people preparing to welcome the Lunar New Year with crowded public transport and live poultry. This makes the possibility of infection increasing, ' said WHO representative.

The first H7N9 infection was recorded in March last year in Shanghai, China. Later, more than 200 other cases were reported, including about 50 deaths. Other cases were also reported in Hong Kong, Taiwan special administrative district.

Not only did H7N9, experts warned that it was a time of sensitivity for the H5N1 outbreak, the flu strain killed thousands of people worldwide. To date, H5N1 continues to circulate in poultry and kill about 60% of infections.

On January 21, Vietnam confirmed its first death in the past 9 months on a 52-year-old man from Binh Phuoc. In January, North America also reported a case of a person returning from a Beijing trip. The victim died later in Canada.

Both strains of H7N9 and H5N1 have caused high fever and respiratory problems including pneumonia and shortness of breath. Scientists have constantly warned that it should be very careful and not subjective to the above strains because it poses a potential for pandemic worldwide. However, after many years of campaigning in countries where poultry and livestock are raised very close to human habitation, the message seems to be very difficult to reach people.

Poultry is an indispensable part of Tet holidays of the countries that celebrate the Lunar New Year. The danger is that they are often bought when they are alive and slaughtered at home. Therefore, the WHO recommends caution when slaughtering and processing poultry, including frequent hand washing with clean water and soap, while using cooked meat and eggs to limit the risk of infection.

In addition, recent outbreaks of H5N8 outbreaks in ducks in South Korea, H5N2 in Hebei province, China have recently raised concerns.