At the time of writing, officials from the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) have confirmed a total of 122 cases of human infections with the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, including 23 deaths, have occurred in Shanghai (33, including 12 deaths), Jiangsu Province(27, including 4 deaths), Zhejiang Province (45, including 6 deaths), Anhui Province (4 including 1 death), Beijing (1), Henan Province (4), Shandong Province (1), Jiangxi Province (5), Fujian Province (1), and Hunan Province (1).

Between 8am on April 27 and 8am on April 28, 2013, Taiwan CDC received reports of 29 suspected cases. All were reported by the healthcare provider. As of now, the test results for 6 cases are still pending and the possibility of H7N9 infection in the remaining classes has been ruled out (3 were tested positive for H1N1, 2 were tested positive for H3N2, and the rest were tested negative for influenza viruses).

In response to the ongoing H7N9 outbreaks in China, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has decided to extend the period for the use of government-funded antivirals till CECC is deactivated. In addition, the public reminded that influenza antivirals are prescription medicines that are not sold over-the-counter without a prescription from the doctor or health care provider. Moreover, travelers visiting areas affected by H7N9 influenza are urged to practice good personal hygiene, including washing hands frequently and wearing a mask when coughing. When necessary, travelers can visit the outpatient travel clinic at 11 contracted hospitals in the nation to receive pre-travel consultation services to ensure their health and prevent the spread of diseases.

CECC once again urges travelers visiting areas affected by H7N9 influenza in China to practice good personal hygiene such as washing hands frequently and putting on a mask, take preventive measures such as avoiding direct contact with poultry and birds or their droppings, avoiding visiting traditional markets with live poultry, consuming only thoroughly cooked poultry and eggs.  If symptoms such as fever and cough develop after returning to Taiwan, please put on a surgical mask and seek immediate medical attention.  Moreover, please inform the physician of the recent travel history to facilitate diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922 if calling from a cell phone, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.