Chinese man critically ill suffering from H7N9 strain of avian influenza

A man from Zhejiang Province has become the latest confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, according to a Xinhua report Nov. 28. According to local health authorities, the patient surnamed Zhang, 57, from Anji County tested positive for the H7N9 virus on Wednesday when he went to the First Affiliated Hospital of College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, for treatment for a fever. He is currently in critical condition. This is the third case reported in November, with the other two being reported, from Zhejiang Province and Guangdong Province, at the beginning of the month. This is the fifth case confirmed this fall, and as one moderator at the infectious disease website, Pro Med Mail notes, "The prospects for the coming winter are threatening."

From RSOE EDIS