5 additional cases of H7N9 virus confirmed

They are from Shanghai and Jiangsu.

According to a report, the Centre for Health Protection verified with the National Health & Family Planning Commission today five confirmed human cases of Influenza A (H7N9) in Shanghai and Jiangsu.

The Shanghai cases involve a 74-year-old man who died today, a 68-year-old man and another 83-year-old woman who are being treated in hospital and are stable. Their contacts have no symptoms.

The Jiangsu cases involve two men aged 31 and 56 who are receiving treatment in hospital and are in critical condition. Their contacts show no symptoms.

As of 7pm today, 38 cases have been confirmed with Influenza A (H7N9) in Shanghai (18 cases), Jiangsu (12 cases), Zhejiang (six cases) and Anhui (two cases).

The centre said it is monitoring the situation and will continue close liaison with Mainland authorities and the World Health Organisation.

It advised travellers, especially those returning from Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, with fever or respiratory symptoms, to wear facial masks immediately, seek medical attention, and reveal their travel history to doctors.

No human infection with H7N9 has been identified so far in Hong Kong.