Officials in China have confirmed the first seasonal case of the H7N9 bird flu in a human being in that country. The person is hospitalized in critical condition. The 36-year-old patient had direct contract with live poultry. Four family members also have symptoms of the disease.
This summer, there were 139 cases of the H7N9 bird flu in eastern China. Forty five people died in that outbreak.
The virus does not spread easily from person-to-person at this point, but it may evolve that capability. The virus is now in the southern part of the country, around Hong Kong. The city is on a heightened alert status. Officials plan to inspect poultry farms. The problem is that birds do not exhibit symptoms of the disease. Yesterday officials said they are putting temporary bans of live poultry in place over the next five years to try to stem transmission of the disease.
