NEW DELHI, Jan 23: Following an increase in influenza A(H7N9) cases in China, the United Nations food agency FAO has called for increased vigilance and preparedness in neighbouring countries such as India.
“Human infections with the influenza A(H7N9) virus are on the rise again in China and the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities provide opportunity for further spread and human exposure,” the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in a statement.
“Chinese authorities are enforcing important measures to reduce the risk of human exposure to the A(H7N9) virus,” FAO Chief Veterinary Officer Juan Lubroth said. “But countries need to stay alert, as the virus continues to circulate in poultry without showing any visible clinical signs.”
The risk to humans remains, especially over the next few months and particularly during the Chinese New Year holiday period, he added.
The FAO said millions of people and poultry are expected to be on the move and many households will slaughter poultry at home to celebrate the New Year that starts on January 31.
The number of human infections with H7N9 has increased considerably since late December in east and southeast China, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The increase was expected as influenza viruses traditionally show increased activity in winter. So far, no other country has reported influenza A(H7N9) in humans, animals or in the market place, it added.
However, FAO alerted neighbouring countries to remain vigilant in the face of A(H7N9) and other avian influenza viruses, such as the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1.
China, the world’s most populous country, has 14 neighbours: Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Vietnam.
Influenza A(H7N9) is one of a subgroup of influenza viruses that normally circulate among birds.
There is strong evidence that people become infected after close contact with infected live poultry, mostly in bird markets or when slaughtering them at home, the FAO said.
According to WHO, no sustained human-to-human transmission has occurred so far. Genetic analysis by FAO reference centres has revealed that the virus has not changed significantly since its emergence last year. (PTI)
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