WHO reported via Twitter today that the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of H7N9 is now at 24, with 7 deaths, 14 severe and 3 mild cases.
Bloomberg reported that China has ordered local governments to collect tissue samples from birds at poultry markets nationwide in the hunt for the cause of an outbreak of H7N9 bird flu. Markets selling live poultry have until the end of the month to collect blood samples and swabs from the throat and cloaca, or posterior opening, from at least 30 birds each for testing of the virus. Poultry farms and slaughterhouses are also required to submit samples for testing, the ministry said.
China has advised its citizens to avoid contact with live poultry, and pledged openness in divulging details of the H7N9 outbreak. It seems as if things have changed – that is good news for all of us.
