Image: CNN
If you’re heading to China anytime soon, it’s best that you’re aware of another health scare, that’s way more deadly than the bird flu (H1N1) pandemic of 2009.
Experts in China published a report suggesting the new H7N9 avian flu virus, that could be deadlier than previously believed. According to the report: “The gene sequences also indicate that these viruses may be better adapted than other avian influenza to infecting animals.”
The N7N9 virus causes unusually severe respiratory infection, sepsis and brain damage, and it even looks like it could be resistant to vaccination and any form of treatment.
Up to 44 people in China have been infected with the H7N9 virus, where 11 people have already died. The virus is known to affect pigeons but wasn’t discovered in humans until series of cases were reported in China last week.
In Hong Kong, the local Food and Environment Hygiene Department announced that poultry imported from companies in mainland China would be subjected to “fast test” for the H7N9 antigen and antibodies.
A more grim fact about the H7N9 pandemic, is that Chinese officials only expect to have a vaccine ready within 7 months, therefore we could go on without any treatment for a while.
Source CNN, Forbes, Xinhua Net
