H7N9 avian flu infects humans for the first time

Dr Jane Parry described the initial state of H7N9 avian flu in humans in China,with three deaths and six suffers across the lower reaches of the Yangtze River on 3 April.1 However,there still exists some indefinable issues related to H7N9 avian flu—especially that how the disaster goes: sporadic or prevalent.
The number of infected patients increased slowly.On 9 April the Chinese media reported 26 cases of H7N9 avian flu in China(aged 4-87,25 cases in critical condition),5 of 11 cases in shanghai died,2 of 5 cases found in Zhejiang Province died,8 in Jiangsu Province with 1 death,and 2 in Anhui Province.Fortunately,one 4-year-old patient in Shanghai recovered gradually after the administration of Oseltamivirphosphate(75mg,Bid) for 6 days,which has been so far recognized as the most effective drug for H1N1 avian flu.However, China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission declared that 6 to 8 months was required for the research and development of vaccines for H7N9 avian influenza.
Fadela Chaib, spokesperson for the World Health Organization(WHO),also said in Geneva,”Although no evidence showed human to human transmission of H7N9 avian influenza virus,and source of infection still remains unknown,the virus has actually found to be mutational to be prone to infect humans.”The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture said at a conference that we could not rule out the possibility of transmission of the H7N9 avian influenza virus from migratory birds into the country.Poultry may be subsequently infected leading to human transmission through the respiratory tract or by contact.
According to the reportage of Chinese media,on 6 April,many dead birds dropped down collectively in Nanjing,Jiangsu Province,and no H7N9 avian influenza virus was detected from the specimens.Nevertheless,the virus was proved to be positive from dove samples in Shanghai.Thus,the poultry markets have been successively closed in these days in endemic areas.
On 3 April,the Chinese authority intensively publisehed the treatment regimens and contingency plans for H7N9 avian flu in humans,with the report strategy in an open and transparent manner.Consultations were conducted by China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission and WHO on the same day,regarding the prevention and control of the H7N9 avian flu.WHO appreciated China’s rapid and timely response with the aim to control the H7N9 avian flu outbreak.Furthermore,the assistance of WHO and professionals from developing countries is needed at critical moment when the epidemic is unable to control.

Reference
Parry J. H7N9 avian flu infects humans for the first time.BMJ 2013;346:f2151.(4 April.)