Detecting H7N9 virus in Guangdong

Chinese health authorities have for the first time discovered a H7N9-positive specimen in Guangdong province, located in the southern part of China, adjacent to Vietnam.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Bird Flu Reference Laboratory has found a specimen sent by the Guangdong Disease Prevention Agency for a positive result for the H7N9 virus.

This is the first specimen in Guangdong to be found positive for H7N9. China's Ministry of Agriculture said that the specimen was taken from chickens in the Tam Dieu market in Dong Guan City, Guangdong Province on April 27.

Until now, all China had 51 samples that tested positive for H7N9. Samples in Guangdong are one of the five specimens that were recently found positive for H7N9. In addition, there are 3 samples from Shandong and 1 sample from Jiangxi.

The results of genetic analysis showed that the virus found in samples in Guangdong is similar to the H7N9 virus found in Shanghai pigeons on April 4.

Health authorities in Guangdong Province said, as soon as the results from the Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory are available, authorities have conducted registration and monitoring of contacts with poultry at Tam Dieu market area. Until now, after more than a week of monitoring, although some people show signs of fever, there have been no cases of H7N9 infection.

The discovery of H7N9 virus in poultry in Guangdong shows that this deadly strain is continuing to spread south.

This is a concern for preventing the spread of this virus in China's neighbors, especially Vietnam, when Guangdong is the province bordering our northern border area.

In particular, the situation of trafficking and smuggling of poultry from China, mainly provinces adjacent to the northern border (Guangdong, Guangxi) has not yet been strictly controlled.

Currently, China has 129 cases of H7N9 virus infection distributed in 10 different provinces, of which 31 have died, 42 have been cured and discharged from hospital. Chinese authorities still insist, there has not been any sign of the spread from the bright people of this virus.