WHO still unsure about human transmission of bird flu in China

"The evidence so far is not enough to conclude that there is person-to-person transmission," said Keiji Fukuda, WHO assistant director general for health security.  But future proof of human transmission "would not be surprising," Fukuda said after WHO completed a study of China's outbreak of the H7N9 bird flu strain and the government's response.

 

Live poultry at markets and the surrounding environment appeared to pose the biggest risk of human infection, he said.

 

Chinese health authorities confirmed more than 100 infections, including 20 deaths, mainly in eastern areas near Shanghai.

 

The lower number of cases reported in eastern China in recent days "suggests the closing of the poultry markets was effective," said Anne Kelso, chief of a WHO flu research centre in Australia.

 

The organisation said factors that "warrant particular concern include the fact that the virus does not seem to cause visible illness in poultry, making it harder to track and control."   Fukuda said it was possible that more people had carried the virus without showing symptoms.

 

He said the researchers were "very impressed with the response of the government."   "The health authorities were well-prepared," he said. "Information was shared in a timely way."   The recommendations to the Chinese government included closer examination of infections, maintaining a high level of alert, investigating animal populations across China, and coordination between ministries.//DPA