Another H5N6 Cases In Guangdong - Shenzhen Again

[niman]

CHP reporting another H5N6 case in Guangdong (3rd case in a week).  This case increases the number of confirmed cases to 7 (2 in 2014 and 2 in 2015 prior to recent cases).

[niman]

CHP notified of additional human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Guangdong
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) was notified of an additional human case of avian influenza A (H5N6) by the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province today (January 7), and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.

     It involves a man aged 25 in Longgang, Shenzhen, currently hospitalised for treatment in serious condition.?

     From 2014 to date, a total of seven human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities.

     "All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are statutory notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong," a spokesman for the CHP said.?

     "We will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments," the spokesman said.

     The DH's Port Health Office conducts health surveillance measures at all boundary control points. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks on inbound travellers. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up.

     The display of posters and broadcast of health messages in departure and arrival halls as health education for travellers is under way. The travel industry and other stakeholders are regularly updated on latest information.

     Travellers, especially those returning from avian influenza-affected areas with fever or respiratory symptoms, should immediately wear masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors. Health-care professionals should pay special attention to patients who might have had contact with poultry, birds or their droppings in affected areas.

     The public should remain vigilant and take heed of the advice against avian influenza below:

* Do not visit live poultry markets and farms. Avoid contact with poultry, birds and their droppings;
* If contact has been made, thoroughly wash hands with soap;
* Avoid entering areas where poultry may be slaughtered and contact with surfaces which might be contaminated by droppings of poultry or other animals;
* Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating;
* Wash hands frequently with soap, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, handling food or eating; after going to the toilet or touching public installations or equipment (including escalator handrails, elevator control panels and door knobs); and when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
* Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with a tissue and put it into a covered dustbin;
* Avoid crowded places and contact with fever patients; and
* Wear masks when respiratory symptoms develop or when taking care of fever patients.

     The public may visit the CHP's pages below for more information:

* The avian influenza page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/24244.html);
* The weekly Avian Influenza Report (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/3879.html);
* Global statistics and affected areas of avian influenza (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/global_statistics_avian_influenza_e.pdf);
* The Facebook Page (www.fb.com/CentreforHealthProtection); and
* The YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/c/ChpGovHkChannel).

Ends/Thursday, January 7, 2016
Issued at HKT 21:05

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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201601/07/P201601070863.htm

[niman]

4th case prior to the recent 3. 3 of the first 4 had died.  Of the recent 3, one has died and 2 remain hospitalized.  Of the 7 confirmed cases, there has only been one discharge.

 

Notification of confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Yunnan
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has been notified by the National Health and Family Planning Commission of a confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) today (July 11) affecting a 37-year-old woman in Yunnan province.

     The patient, presented with fever and cough with sputum since July 6, was admitted to a local hospital on July 9 and died on July 10.

     "All novel influenza A infections (including H5N6) are notifiable diseases in Hong Kong," a spokesman for the DH said.

 

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201507/11/P201507110974.htm

[niman]

Map update

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zv94AJqgUct4.khRctlgYWTZM

[niman]

Human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus – China

Disease outbreak news 
11 January 2016

On 8 January 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 2 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus.

Details of the cases

• The first case is a 25-year-old male from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, who developed symptoms on 1 January. The patient was admitted to hospital on 4 January and is now in severe condition. He has a history of visiting a live poultry market.
• The second case is a 42-year-old male from Jieyang City, Guangdong Province, who developed symptoms on 12 December. The patient was admitted to hospital on 19 December and died on 21 December. He had a history of visiting a live poultry market.

Public health response

The Chinese Government has taken the following surveillance and control measures:

• making every effort to treat the patient; collecting and testing the specimens of the patient, carrying out viral isolation and whole genome sequencing and comparison;
• conducting epidemiological investigation; tracing, managing and observing the close contacts of the patient;
• strengthening surveillance of unexplained pneumonia and routine sentinel surveillance of influenza; strengthening the etiological surveillance of influenza/avian influenza virus.

WHO risk assessment

WHO continues to closely monitor the influenza A(H5N6) situation and conduct risk assessments. So far, the overall risk associated with avian influenza A(H5N6) viruses has not changed.

WHO advice

WHO advises that travellers to countries with known outbreaks of avian influenza should avoid poultry farms, or contact with animals in live bird markets, or entering areas where poultry may be slaughtered, or contact with any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with faeces from poultry or other animals. Travellers should also wash their hands often with soap and water. Travellers should follow good food safety and good food hygiene practices.

WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it currently recommend any travel or trade restrictions. As always, a diagnosis of infection with an avian influenza virus should be considered in individuals who develop severe acute respiratory symptoms while travelling or soon after returning from an area where avian influenza is a concern.

WHO encourages countries to continue strengthening influenza surveillance, including surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns, in order to ensure reporting of human infections under the IHR (2005), and continue national health preparedness actions.

http://www.who.int/csr/don/11-january-2016-avian-influenza-china/en/#.VpSXupFEmMw.twitter