First imported human infection with avian influenza H7N9

From the Centers for Disease Control in Taiwan:

In the late afternoon of April 24, 2013, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) confirmed the first imported case of H7N9 avian influenza in a 53-year-old male Taiwanese citizen who worked in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China prior to illness onset. He developed his illness three days after returning to Taiwan. Infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) was confirmed on April 24, 2013. The patient is currently in a severe condition and being treated in a negative-pressure isolation room.

It’s not clear how the patient acquired the infection in China; he had no contact with birds or poultry and did not eat undercooked poultry or eggs.

The patient has had contact with 139 others, and all but 3 have used the appropriate personal protective equipment to prevent infection.

There is still no evidence for human-to-human transmission of avian influenza H7N9 virus in China. If this trend continues in Taiwan there should be no spread of the virus to others.

As long as people are allowed to travel from China, this probably won’t be the only imported case.