January 16, 2014
China reports additional six cases of H7N9 bird flu
China reported six more human cases of laboratory confirmed H7N9 bird flu,Shanghai Daily reported.
Last year, the government ordered 110 live poultry markets closed in order to prevent the spread of the virus. In response to this new outbreak, all live poultry markets in Shanghaiwill beclosed at the end of January.
Two more cases of H7N9 have been confirmed in Guangdong province, of which patients did have contact with live poultry.It is unclear if the other four patients had contact with live poultry.Two people have died in this new outbreak which started in August 2013.
This strain of the bird flu emerged in China last year and about 150 people have been sickened by this virus so far, and about 46 have died. At this time the virus doesn't easily transmit between people, but viruses evolve constantly and it could develop the ability to do that at any time.
The Centres for Disease Control (CDC) advises anyone traveling to China to avoid live poultry markets and only eat bird products that have been thoroughly cooked. At this time, there is no need to avoid travel to that country, but follow common sense hygiene tips to avoid getting sick.