H7N9 virus can develop into a pandemic in humans

The March 11 "Nature" scientific journal published a new study showing that the H7N9 virus, one of the avian influenza viruses that can infect humans, is still capable of developing a pandemic in humans. If there are no effective control measures.

>> H7N9 influenza virus is more dangerous

The risk of pandemic caused by H7N9 virus is mutating

The Centers for Disease Control Center inspects the infrastructure around a goose farm to prevent the spread of flu in Taoyuan on January 17.

In this study, a group of scientists led by Professor Yi Guan of Hong Kong University showed that the H7N9 virus continues to exist, change and spread among chickens in many areas of China. National. Scientists collected and analyzed many specimens from chickens in 15 different Chinese cities and realized that the H7N9 virus frequently changes genes. This fact raises concerns that the H7N9 virus will continue to infect humans and increase the risk of becoming a pandemic.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data, up to now, at least 571 people in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong (China), Malaysia and Canada have been infected with this virus, including 212 deaths.

In an up-to-date report on the virus strain, WHO said that it " continues to closely monitor the situation of H7N9 flu " and conduct risk assessments. According to WHO, the risk directly related to H7N9 virus remains unchanged from the previous assessment. However, Professor Yi Guan's team emphasized the need to raise awareness about H7N9 virus and limit contact between live and live poultry sold at the market. The research team believes that live poultry markets should be closed permanently, moving to concentrated poultry slaughtering and preventing poultry transport between regions when the disease outbreaks to minimize risks for people's health.