China appears to be the focal point for avian flu [H5N1] cases so far in 2009. Of 9 reported cases, 7 are from China. Nearly all are reported to have had contact with poultry.

In Third World nations, especially rural regions, when livestock become sick, the rush is to slaughter them and perhaps use them before they die. Since H5N1 is primarily transmitted through contact with infected poultry, this means that every sick bird is a tiny hotspot of infection.

Here are the latest two reports from China.

WHO update 3

27 January 2009 — The Ministry of Health in China has announced three new confirmed human cases of H5N1 infection. The first, a 31-year-old female from Urumqi, Xinjiang Autonomous Region had onset of symptoms on 10 January. She received treatment in hospital but died on 23 January. Investigations into the possible source of her infection indicate recent visits to a live poultry market. The local authorities are currently conducting epidemiological investigations and close contacts are being monitored. To date, no clinical symptoms have been reported among the contacts.

The second case is a 29-year-old male from Guiyang city, Guizhou. He had onset of symptoms on 15 January and remains in a critical condition. Investigations into the source of his infection indicate possible exposure at poultry market.

The third case is an 18-year-old male from Beiliu City, Guangxi Province. He had onset of symptoms on 19 January and died on 26 January. Investigations into the source of his infection indicate a recent history of exposure to sick and dead poultry. Close contacts of the case are being monitored and to date all remain well.

Of the 37 cases confirmed to date in China, 25 have been fatal.

WHO update 4

2 February 2009 — The Ministry of Health in China has announced a new confirmed human cases of H5N1 infection. The case is a 21-year-old female from Xupu County, Hunan province. She had onset of symptoms on 23 January and remains in hospital in a clinically stable condition. Investigations into the source of her infection indicate possible exposure to sick and dead poultry.

Of the 38 cases confirmed to date in China, 25 have been fatal.

In 2009, there have been 9 cases reported, with 4 being fatal. Since the disease became contagious to humans, there have been 404 cases with 254 being fatal. WHO table

Bird flu cases, deaths and survivals

WHO table for all cases through January 7, 2009

China

The Ministry of Health in China has reported a new case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case is a 19-year old female from Chaoyang District, Beijing. She developed symptoms on 24 Dec 2008, was hospitalized, and died on 5 January 2009.

The case was confirmed by the national laboratory. The case had contact with poultry prior to her illness. All contacts have been placed under medical observation. All remain healthy to date.

Of the 31 cases confirmed to date in China, 21 have been fatal.

Vietnam

The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has reported a new confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case has been confirmed at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE).

The case is an 8-year old girl from Dien Trung commune, Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa province. She developed symptoms on 27 December 2008 and was hospitalized on 2 January 2009. She is currently in a stable condition. The case is known to have had recent contact with sick and dead poultry prior to the onset of her illness.

Further investigations are currently underway. Control measures have been implemented and close contacts are being identified and monitored.

Of the 107 cases confirmed to date in Viet Nam, 52 have been fatal.