Back to list 2013-04-26 16:48:22

1. What is A (H7N9) avian influenza virus? 
There are three types of influenza viruses -- A, B and C. H7N9 had only been previously found in birds, and outbreaks among birds were only reported in Netherlands, Japan and USA.

2. What are the main symptoms of human infection with A(H7N9) avian virus? 
The confirmed cases presented all with acute pneumonia whose symptoms include acute fever onset, high fever, cough and respiratory tract infection symptoms at the early stage of the disease. Five to seven days of disease onset, the patients developed severe pneumonia i.e. breathing difficulties and some progressed rapidly into acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. 
Currently, our knowledge about the clinical characteristics of disease is still limited, whether the infection can cause mild or other clinical presentation was still not clear. The understanding of the disease will change accordingly as more information accumulates.

3. Where has the human infection with A (H7N9) avian influenza virus come from? 
The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of infection of the 3 cases. A(H7N9) virus is an avian influenza viruses, and according to the previous outbreak reports, the source of the human infection with influenza virus A subtype H7 probably is poultry.

4. Can A (H7N9) avian influenza virus transmitted from person to person? 
So far no further cases were identified among the contacts of the case. Up to date, no subclinical infections have been determined from all the blood taken in contacts. But we cannot rule out the possibility of human to human transmission until we know more about the virus characteristics and results from ongoing investigations.

5. Has any close contacts become ill or dead? 
According to China’s regulations on management of the unknown pneumonia, the Departments of Health in Shanghai, Anhui and Jiangsu have implemented strictly medical observation to all the close contacts of the confirmed cases. All the close contacts of the confirmed cases from Shanghai and Anhui haven’t show the similar symptom so far.

6. How to prevent from being infected with A (H7N9) avian influenza virus? 
There is no vaccine developed for the prevention of H7N9 influenza virus transmission.

7. Please follow the 5 DOs & 5 DON'Ts to prevent disease:

5 DOs:

1) Do hand washing frequently
2) Do the room ventilation
5) Do a balance nutrition diet
4) Do exercise for fit and keep bright feeling
5) Do mouth mask while Hospital 

5 DON'Ts:

1) Don’t touch dead poultry;
2) Don’t go to live stock market;
3) Don’t go to office when you are sick;
4) Don’t cough or sneeze direct to public when you do, use tissue or handkerchief.
5) Don’t buy meat which is not clear source.

8. MSH China tips：
1) According to the Health Bureau, those who have fever and upper respiratory tract infection should be transferred to specialized fever department for diagnosis and treatment.
2) All H7N9 related medical treatment costs will be covered by MSH China.
2) For those MSH China clients who have fever symptoms, we suggest clients visiting the public hospitals which MSH China has cooperated with. For further information, please call MSH China’s 24hours hotline.3) Till April 8th 2013, below is the information of part of MSH providers:
a. Huashan Worldwide Medical Center: If temperature >38.5 degrees, clients will be transferred to specialized fever department without direct billing.
b. Ruijin Hospital Exclusive Medical Care Center: If temperature >38 degrees, clients will be transferred to specialized fever department without direct billing.
c. Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Special Service Clinic: If temperature >38.5 degrees, clients will be transferred to specialized fever department without direct billing.
d. Shanghai Shu Guang Hospital VIP Department (Eastern Branch): If temperature >37.5 degrees, clients will be transferred to specialized fever department without direct billing.
e. Shanghai First People's Hospital International Medical Care Center: Doctors will estimate at first, and after H7N9 is eliminated, clients can be treated with direct billing.
f. China-Japan Friendship Hospital International Medical Center: If temperature >37.5 degrees, clients will be transferred to specialized fever department without direct billing.
g. Peking Union Medical College Hospital, International Medical Services: If temperature >37.5 degrees, clients will be transferred to specialized fever department without direct billing.
h. The Military General Hospital of Beijing PLA, VIP Department: If temperature >37.5 degrees, clients will be transferred to specialized fever department without direct billing.
i. Beijing Friendship Hospital International Medical Center: If temperature >37.5 degrees, clients will be transferred to specialized fever department without direct billing.