The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced today (March 2nd) the first locally transmitted case of novel H7 subtype avian influenza in Taiwan.
The patient is a man in his 70s from central Taiwan who works in poultry farming and has a history of chronic illness.
He developed symptoms of runny nose, cough, and body aches on March 20th and sought medical attention at a hospital on March 22nd due to fever.
He was admitted to the hospital on the same day.
Imaging examination revealed pneumonia.
Based on clinical symptoms, test results, and the patient's contact history, the doctor reported the case as a novel H7 avian influenza and administered antiviral medication.
Further testing and gene sequencing by the CDC confirmed the virus as H7 subtype avian influenza.
Sequence analysis showed that this H7 belongs to the Eurasian lineage and is similar to the H7 subtype avian influenza viruses monitored in wild birds (mainly ducks and anadidae) in Taiwan over the years.
However, it is different from the H7N9 subtype avian influenza virus that circulated in mainland China from 2013 to 2019, and is a low-pathogenic avian influenza virus.
This morning, the CDC convened a meeting with agricultural authorities and relevant medical and veterinary experts to discuss the case and, based on the test results, confirmed it as a case of novel H7 avian influenza in humans.
The patient's condition has improved and they are continuing isolation and treatment.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that after the first locally transmitted case of H7 subtype novel influenza A was detected in Taiwan, health and agricultural authorities immediately launched a joint epidemic prevention operation to carry out relevant investigations and prevention measures.
Health authorities, with the assistance of epidemiologists and the Health Bureau, conducted on-site epidemiological investigations at the patient's residence, poultry farm, and hospital.
Currently, 33 close contacts are under health monitoring and management, and 3 have been given preventative medication based on risk assessment.
Tests were conducted on 6 family members, all of whom tested negative.
Agricultural authorities immediately implemented movement restrictions at the poultry farm, and animal testing results were negative for avian influenza virus.
To clarify the source of infection, today's expert meeting resolved to request the farm to expand testing at nearby poultry farms and to cooperate with wild bird associations to collect droppings from surrounding wild birds.
Furthermore, the CDC will continue to cooperate with the farm to obtain the gene sequence of the H7 virus detected in Taiwan for further comparison.
Health and agricultural authorities will continue to strengthen surveillance of humans and animals, including respiratory viruses and influenza/novel coronavirus pneumonia surveillance in medical institutions, active surveillance of poultry farms and migratory birds, and will cooperate with farmers to promote personal protective measures for poultry farmers and public health education.
They have also contacted duck farming associations to distribute 40,000-50,000 masks free of charge to duck farmers.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) pointed out that, based on current epidemiological investigations and test results, the genetic analysis of this case shows a low-pathogenic avian influenza virus, without any mutations increasing the risk of avian-to-human transmission, and it remains a common avian virus.
The initial assessment is that this case is an isolated incident.
Considering the patient's improved condition after treatment, the lack of mutations increasing the risk of avian-to-human transmission in the preliminary genetic analysis, the negative test results at the poultry farm, and the absence of any other family members showing symptoms after the patient's onset, the risk is assessed as controllable, and there is no immediate risk of the outbreak expanding.
However, to understand the potential risks of this case, they will continue to track the symptoms and test results of contacts, further analyze the virus and trace possible sources of infection, and have activated a joint working group on the risk assessment of zoonotic infectious diseases between agriculture and health authorities to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment.
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will notify the World Health Organization (WHO) today through the IHR contact window in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR).
According to surveillance data, since the novel influenza A virus was classified as a Category 5 notifiable infectious disease in Taiwan in 2014, a total of 5 sporadic cases have been reported. Besides this case, the others were reported in 2017 (H7N9, imported from outside China), 2021 (H1N2v), 2022 (H1N2v), and 2023 (H1N2v). In addition, there were 4 confirmed cases of H7N9 imported from outside China in 2013-2014; none of the contacts were infected.
The CDC explained that the H7N9 sequence in today's reported case is only closely related to one other human case, H7N4, reported in Jiangsu, China in 2018. The case involves a 68-year-old woman with a history of coronary heart disease and hypertension. She developed symptoms such as cough, weakness, and muscle aches on December 25, 2017, and was hospitalized for pneumonia on January 1, 2018, and discharged on January 22 after recovery. Prior to the onset of illness, the patient had contact with live poultry. Her close contacts did not develop any suspected symptoms during the observation period. The virus remains avian and has not shown resistance to existing antiviral drugs.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reminds workers involved in poultry and livestock farming to implement self-protection measures during operations and to conduct thorough disinfection after work to reduce the risk of infection with the novel influenza A. If symptoms of acute respiratory infection or conjunctivitis appear, seek medical attention immediately and proactively inform healthcare professionals of your occupational history of contact with animals to facilitate early diagnosis. The public is advised to implement the "5 Dos and 6 Don'ts" epidemic prevention principles in daily life:
"5 Dos": Cook meat and eggs thoroughly with soap; wash hands thoroughly with soap; if symptoms appear, wear a mask, seek medical attention immediately, and inform the doctor of your occupation and contact history; those who have long-term contact with poultry and livestock should get vaccinated against influenza; maintain a balanced diet and exercise appropriately.
"6 Don'ts": Don't eat raw poultry, eggs, or poultry products; don't smuggle or buy meat of unknown origin; don't touch or feed poultry and livestock; don't release or discard poultry and livestock indiscriminately; don't mix poultry and livestock with other poultry and livestock; and don't go to places with poor air circulation or crowded places.
For related information, please visit the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw/) or call the toll-free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922).
Source:
Link: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/bZE85LXA9ZGdCvEJKZe6Cg?typeid=9
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