Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update

Summary

On March 4, 2014, an additional confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in Hong Kong was reported to WHO. Although it is a single case, it suggests the possibility of H7N9 variant spreading from mainland China to Hong Kong.

Supply-chain impact

• Poultry industry: H7N9 is primarily an avian virus, with expected pressure for enhanced quarantine measures and shipment suspensions in Hong Kong and neighboring Guangdong Province poultry supply chains
• Hong Kong logistics hub: Strengthened quarantine procedures at Hong Kong, a major Asian logistics hub, may cause delays in import and transshipment of agricultural and food products
• Southern China manufacturing: Manufacturing clusters centered in Guangdong Province face concerns of temporary production disruptions due to enhanced worker health inspections
• Air transport: Potential logistics bottlenecks from additional quarantine measures for live animals and frozen meat transport through Hong Kong International Airport

Watch points

• Whether additional H7N9 human infection cases occur in mainland China, particularly in Guangdong Province, and the scale of spread
• Level of epidemic prevention measures by Hong Kong government, such as poultry market closures or suspension of Chinese poultry imports
• Possibility of WHO declaring a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and trends in international trade restriction measures