H7N9: An Introduction

What is H7N9?

H7N9 is an Avian Influenza Virus that only spreads amongst birds. However, in early 2013, the first case of human infection came from China. The common symptoms of H7N9 virus include fever, cough, shortness of breath and severe infections that could lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), septic shock, pneumonia, and multi-organ failure resulting in death.

A possible way of spreading the virus is through direct contact with the infected poultry, or indirect contact such as visiting the wet market and being in the environment where infected poultry have been kept or slaughtered. Apart from that, another way is that the flu virus becomes airborne, such as when an infected bird flaps its wings. If someone were to breathe in the airborne virus, it is possible he or she could get infected.

1.2 How is the World Reacting to H7N9?

During the outbreak of H7N9 which originated from China, the country reacts to it by notifying the World Health Organization of the potential new virus. It started with the careful tracking of all the possible infections. Each case that happens will be reported to the state media outlets. Quarantined and the test will be done to people who had contact with infected patients.

The government also began to track down potential breeding grounds by culling poultry when it became clear that H7N9 was a variation of bird flu. Besides that, the China scientists also collaborated with the U.S. Centre for Disease Control to upload the virus to a public database in order of succession whereby all scientists around the world can access the data. Instead of pleading to be more transparent, the World Health Organization approved China's response.