A Chinese study suggests that H7N9 may spread person to person only with prolonged close contact, if at all.
The cases are from five provinces, mostly in the south, and include three deaths.
The virus carries genes from H9N2 viruses and has a mutation linked to adaptation to mammals.
Cambodia—which had by far the most H5N1 avian flu cases in 2013—has confirmed its first case of 2014, in a 5-year-old boy, the country's Ministry of Health (MOH) reported today.
Vietnam and China have each confirmed a case of H5N1 avian flu in recent days, with Vietnam's case proving fatal.
In Vietnam, a 60-year-old woman in Dong Thap province in the Mekong Delta died of the deadly virus on Jan 27, Than Nien News reported yesterday. The woman developed a fever and other symptoms on Jan 22, authorities said. She was hospitalized on Jan 23 in neighboring An Gian province on Jan 23, where she died.
The new cases include 4 in children, as the second wave tilts more toward southern China.
With China celebrating its Lunar New Year today, new reports of H7N9 cases slowed.
Six new cases push the 2nd-wave total to 137 as issues arise over poultry testing.
In its annual snapshot, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday noted that states in 2012 and 2013 again benefited from the agency's support for public health readiness and response through its Public Health Emergency Preparedness program.
The report, published by the CDC's Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR), highlighted several success stories, including:
The rise in H7N9 cases sees no let-up, as a 3-person family cluster is reported.
