11 January 2014 (21:35 UTC-07 Tango 10 January 2014)/09 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/21 Dey 1392/11 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

A 38 years old man in China died today, the same day it was confirmed he was infected with H7N9.  So far this year there are at least ten human infections (150 human infections since the beginning of 2013, 45 deaths) involving a virus that is still considered a bird only flu.

At least four of the latest human cases had contact with poultry.  Six are in critical condition.

Chinese researchers have discovered that not only are poultry infected with H7N9, but they are infected with H9N2 as well.  Further research resulted in their conclusion that H9N2 (duck flu) is playing a role in the evolution of H7N9.  Genetic testing showed H7N9 genes containing genes from H9N2.

Restaurants, as well as poultry markets, are found to have the virus and massive cleaning is being undertaking.  A restaurant in Guangzhou Province was shut down and 27 employees are now under medical observation.

The Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention is warning pregnant woman: “Our findings suggest that pregnancy might be a risk factor for clinically severe influenza in young women infected with H7N9 subtype virus.”

The Jiangsu CDC reported that a pregnant woman almost died from H7N9, having to undergo intensive anti-viral treatments.  They also pointed out that she had no contact with birds!

At least two people died from H7N9 in Hong Kong.  The Hong Kong Department of Health reports three new cases, for a total of 149 cases.

Taiwan reports two human cases of H7N9.  Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council issued a Yellow Travel Alert for anybody going to Shanghai.

The University of Melbourne, in Australia, found that some people are immune to H7N9.  It has to do with the lymphocyte CD8+ T.  Some people have it, some don’t.  Those that have it can fight off influenza better than those who don’t.