Skip to content


Home >> Press Release >> 2014

Press Release

CHP notified of eight additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Mainland

5 February 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) yesterday (February 4) received notification of eight additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) respectively in Zhaoqing, Yangjiang and Huizhou (one case each) from the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province; and in Jiangsu (one case) and Zhejiang (four cases) from the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

The case in Zhaoqing involves a girl aged four who is now hospitalised for treatment. The cases in Yangjiang and Huizhou are two men aged 76 and 52 respectively and both died on February 3.

The case in Jiangsu is a woman aged 59 who is receiving treatment in hospital. The cases in Zhejiang are four men aged 42, 51, 56 and 84 respectively who are all hospitalised for treatment.

As of yesterday, a total of 292 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been confirmed in the Mainland, including Zhejiang (118 cases), Guangdong (50 cases), Shanghai (41 cases), Jiangsu (37 cases), Fujian (18 cases), Hunan (six cases), Jiangxi (six cases), Anhui (four cases), Henan (four cases), Beijing (three cases), Shandong (two cases), Guangxi (one case), Guizhou (one case, imported from Zhejiang) and Hebei (one case).

The CHP is closely monitoring the situation.

"Locally, enhanced disease surveillance, port health measures and health education against avian influenza are ongoing. We will remain vigilant and maintain liaison with the World Health Organization (WHO) and relevant health authorities. Local surveillance activities will be modified upon the WHO's recommendations," a spokesman for the DH remarked.

"In view of human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) confirmed in Hong Kong and multiple cases notified by the Mainland, the activity of the virus is expected to be higher in the winter season. Those planning to travel outside Hong Kong should maintain good personal, environmental and food hygiene at all times," the spokesman urged.

"All boundary control points have implemented disease prevention and control measures. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks of inbound travellers. Random temperature checks by handheld devices have also been arranged. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up investigation," the spokesman added.

Regarding health education for travellers, distribution of pamphlets, display of posters in departure and arrival halls, in-flight public announcements, environmental health inspection and provision of regular updates to the travel industry via meetings and correspondence are all proceeding.

The spokesman advised travellers, especially those returning from avian influenza-affected areas and provinces with fever or respiratory symptoms, to immediately wear masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors. Healthcare professionals should pay special attention to patients who might have had contact with poultry, birds or their droppings in affected areas and provinces.

Members of the public should remain vigilant and take heed of the preventive advice against avian influenza below:

The public may visit the CHP's avian influenza page (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/24244.html) and website (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/global_statistics_avian_influenza_e.pdf) for more information on avian influenza-affected areas and provinces.

Last Revision Date : 5 Feb 2014