H7N9 avian flu infects humans for the first time

The H7N9 avian influenza virus has infected humans for the first time, killing three people in China—two in Shanghai in March, and one in Hangzhou whose death was reported on 3 April. It is known to have infected a further six people in different locations across the Yangtze delta region of eastern China, all of whom are in a critical condition in hospital.

Fadela Chaib, spokesperson for the World Health Organization, said at a press conference in Geneva, “It’s the first time that H7N9 has been found in humans, so it’s of concern to WHO,” adding that, although it would be asking the health authorities in China for an update, for the time being the virus has not shown any human to human transmission.

The two deaths in Shanghai …