Western University is advising members of its community who are planning to travel to China to exercise caution after the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed human cases of an avian influenza virus identified as influenza A(H7N9) in the People’s Republic of China.
As of Tuesday, April 16, a total of 63 patients have been laboratory-confirmed with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China; including 14 deaths, according to WHO. More than a thousand close contacts of the confirmed cases are being closely monitored. Cases have been identified in the municipalities of Beijing and Shanghai and the provinces of Anhui, Henan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Additional cases are expected. The Chinese government is responding to this event and the investigation is ongoing. The WHO is working closely with the national authorities to better understand the situation.
For more details, visit WHO’s frequently asked questions on human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus page. For the latest updates on influenza A(H7N9),visit the WHO’s Global Alert and Response website.
Many different influenza viruses are found in animals and do not normally infect humans. The influenza A(H7N9) cases are of particular concern as they are the first reported cases of this avian influenza virus in humans.
The Public Health Agency of Canada works closely with its national and international partners, including the WHO, to track all types of flu activity in Canada and around the world. The agency will continue to monitor the situation and inform the public as information becomes available.