Archived – Asian Lineage Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus

Background

Human infections with an Asian lineage avian influenza A(H7N9) virus (“Asian H7N9”) were first reported in China in March 2013. Annual epidemics of sporadic human infections with Asian H7N9 viruses in China have been reported since that time. China is currently experiencing its 6th epidemic of Asian H7N9 human infections. Since October 1, 2017, there have been only 3 reported human infections.

During the fifth epidemic, from October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 766 human infections with Asian H7N9 virus, making it the largest H7N9 epidemic to date. As of December 7, 2017, the total cumulative number of human infections with Asian lineage H7N9 reported by WHO since 2013 is 1565. During epidemics one through five, about 39 percent of people confirmed with Asian H7N9 virus infection died.

Epidemiology

Most human infections with avian influenza viruses, including Asian H7N9 virus, occur after exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments. Asian H7N9 viruses continue to circulate in poultry in China. Most reported patients with H7N9 virus infection have had severe respiratory illness (e.g., pneumonia). Rare instances of limited person-to-person spread of this virus have been identified in China, but there is no evidence of sustained person-to-person spread. Some human infections with Asian H7N9 virus have been reported outside of mainland China, Hong Kong or Macao but all of these infections have occurred among people who had traveled to China before becoming ill. Asian H7N9 viruses have not been detected in people or birds in the United States.

CDC Risk Assessment

While the current risk to the public’s health posed by Asian H7N9 virus is low, the pandemic potential of this virus is concerning. Influenza viruses constantly change and it is possible that this virus could gain the ability to spread easily and sustainably among people, triggering a global outbreak of disease (i.e., a pandemic). In fact, of the novel influenza A viruses that are of special concern to public health, Asian lineage H7N9 virus is rated by the Influenza Risk Assessment Tool as having the greatest potential to cause a pandemic, as well as potentially posing the greatest risk to severely impact public health if it were to achieve sustained human-to-human transmission.

It is likely that sporadic human infections with Asian H7N9 virus associated with exposure to infected poultry will continue to occur in China. There is also a possibility of Asian H7N9 virus spreading to poultry in neighboring countries and human infections associated with poultry exposure may be detected in neighboring countries. Asian H7N9 infections may continue to be detected among travelers returning from countries where this virus is present. However, as long as there is no evidence of ongoing, sustained person-to-person spread, the public health risk assessment would not change substantially.

CDC Response

The U.S. Government supports international surveillance for seasonal and novel influenza viruses in humans, including Asian H7N9. CDC collaborates with clinical and public health laboratories located in all 50 U.S. states and >100 countries. In the United States, public health laboratories routinely test human respiratory specimens for influenza and report weekly those results to CDC. Any suspected novel influenza A virus, including an Asian H7N9, detected at a U.S. public health laboratory is forwarded to CDC for confirmatory testing.

CDC is following the Asian H7N9 situation closely and is coordinating with domestic and international partners. CDC takes routine preparedness actions to counter pandemic threats as they are identified, including developing candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs) to use for vaccine production in case vaccine is needed. CDC has prepared a risk assessment of the Asian H7N9 virus. Other routine preparedness activities include ongoing review of new viruses and virus sequences to assess their genetic and antigenic properties as well as their antiviral susceptibility. This information informs an ongoing risk assessment process, which guides further actions. CDC also has issued guidance to clinicians and public health authorities in the United States, as well as provided information for people traveling to China. CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available.