18 death cases on H7N9

As of April 20, China's National Health and Family Planning Commission notified WHO of an additional 5 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. Of the latest laboratory confirmed cases, three are from Zhejiang Province, one is from Shanghai Municipality, and one is from Jiangsu Province.

The patients include:

·       a 75 year-old male from Shanghai Municipality who became ill on 13 April 2013;

·       a 43 year-old male from Jiangsu Province who became ill on 7 April 2013;

·       a 56 year- old male from Zhejiang Province who became ill on 11 April 2013;

·       a 35 year-old female  from Zhejiang Province who became ill on 14 April 2013;

·       a 37 year-old male from Zhejiang Province who became ill on March 30 2013.

 

Additionally, 1 patient earlier reported from Zhejiang Province has died.

 

National authorities continue to implement prevention and control measures which include: strengthened epidemic monitoring and analysis and enhanced public risk communication and information dissemination.

 

Investigations into the possible sources of infection and reservoirs of the virus are ongoing. "Until the source of infection has been identified, it is expected that there will be further cases of human infection with the virus in China. So far, there is no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission," WHO said.