The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (February 21) closely monitoring an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) notified by the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province (GDHFPC), and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.

According to the GDHFPC, the patient is a 48-year-old woman who lives in Shantou. She is currently hospitalised for treatment in critical condition.

To date, 577 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities, respectively in Guangdong (166 cases), Zhejiang (156 cases), Jiangsu (70 cases), Fujian (58 cases), Shanghai (45 cases), Hunan (24 cases), Anhui (17 cases), Xinjiang (10 cases), Jiangxi (nine cases), Shandong (six cases), Beijing (five cases), Henan (four cases), Guangxi (three cases), Jilin (two cases), Guizhou (one case) and Hebei (one case).