Cayman health officials eye new Chinese bird flu

(CNS): Local health officials said this week that they are on alert and monitoring an outbreak of a new type of bird flu in China. The A (H7N9) has caused severe disease there with the WHO reporting 63 cases laboratory-confirmed including 14 deaths. More than a thousand close contacts of the confirmed cases are also being closely monitored. The source and mode of transmission are still unknown and until these are identified further human cases of infection are expected in China. Officials said the risk of international disease spread is considered to be low and as yet no human to human transmissions have occurred but investigations into a possible family cluster are on-going.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no need for any travel or trade restrictions on China based on the current information or any need for special screening at points of entry. Nevertheless the local Public Health Department is in touch with PAHO/WHO and the Public Health England while health care workers are on alert.