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Latest research findings on avian influenza A (H7N9) virus from HKU Public Health Research Centre

31 Oct 2013

Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong just reported the latest round of empirical and other research findings regarding to avian influenza A (H7N9) virus. HKU investigators analysed the data of human infection with H7N9 virus in mainland China, so as to find out the effect of live poultry market closures on control of the outbreak. The result provides important implications for control of H7N9 and protection of public health.

Please visit the website at http://www.med.hku.hk/v1/media/2478.pdf for powerpoint presentation.

The latest study by Public Health Research Centre of Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU estimates that the closure of live poultry market can reduce the risk of H7N9 human infection by 97% to 99%. If H7N9 virus strikes back again in winter, this could be an effective control measure.
From the left: Dr Joseph T Wu, Associate Professor, Professor Gabriel M Leung, Chair Professor, and Dr Benjamin J Cowling, Associate Professor of School of Public Health and Public Health Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong

he latest study by Public Health Research Centre of Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU estimates that the closure of live poultry market can reduce the risk of H7N9 human infection by 97% to 99%. If H7N9 virus strikes back again in winter, this could be an effective control measure. From the left: Dr Joseph T Wu, Associate Professor, Professor Gabriel M Leung, Chair Professor, and Dr Benjamin J Cowling, Associate Professor of School of Public Health and Public Health Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong

Professor Gabriel M Leung, Chair Professor of School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong says that, this finding gives a booster to the frontline infection control officers. Hong Kong’s buyout scheme for live poultry market is also an effective measure, but for mainland China they should consider their own market supply chain and the feasibility of the measures taken to work out an adaptable proposal for infection control.

Dr Joseph T Wu, Associate Professor, Public Health Research Centre and School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong points out that the infection cases swiftly reduced in some mainland cities with emerging H7N9 epidemic after the closure of live poultry market, which found this precautionary measure effective.

Dr Benjamin J Cowling, Associate Professor, Public Health Research Centre and School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, says that two human infection cases were newly found in October. We cannot rule out that H7N9 virus might have incubated in the community during the last summer which cannot be neglected.

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