From Cayman Islands Public Health Department

A new type of Influenza infection with A (H7N9) has caused severe disease in China. To date, there are a total of 60 laboratory confirmed human cases with influenza A(H7N9) virus including thirteen fatalities in China reported from four Provinces (Anhui, Henan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang) and two Municipalities (Beijing and Shanghai).

More than 1000 close contacts of the confirmed cases, including contacts of these newly reported cases, are being closely monitored.

So far the source and mode of transmission are unknown. Based on the assumption that there is a persistent source and until the source is identified, further human cases of infection are expected in the affected and other areas of China.

At this point in time the risk of international disease spread is considered to be low. To date, preliminary findings of on-going investigations have not shown that transmissions from human to human among contacts have occurred. Nevertheless, investigations into a possible family cluster are on-going.

World Health Organization (WHO) advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions on China based on the current information available on this event.

WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied.

Health care workers in the Cayman Islands are on alert and the Public Health Department is in touch with PAHO/WHO and the Public Health England , previously known as Health Protection Agency and the CARPHA (Caribbean Public Health Agency).

Additional information:

•          Human infection with Influenza A(H7N9) virus http://www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/influenza_h7n9/en/index.html

•          Disease Outbreak News http://www.who.int/csr/don/en/index.html

•          Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER) 29 March 2013, vol.88, 13 (pp. 137-144) http://www.who.int/wer/2013/wer8813/en/index.html

See also related iNews Cayman story published on April 14 “China bird flu: ‘Two new cases’ in Henan province” at:

http://www.ieyenews.com/2013/04/china-bird-flu-two-new-cases-in-henan-province/