On 23 February 2015, the Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China notified WHO of 1 additional laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

Details of the case are as follows

A 61-year-old man from Hong Kong SAR developed symptoms on 16 February and consulted a private doctor on the same day. He was admitted to hospital on 20 February. The patient travelled to Zhangmutou, Dongguan, Guangdong, from 6 to 8 February and from 14 to 15 February. He visited a wet market on 14 February and bought two slaughtered chickens. Based on the available information, it is considered that the patient was infected outside Hong Kong. Currently, he is in critical condition.

The Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong is tracing the contacts of the patient.

WHO continues to closely monitor the H7N9 situation and conduct risk assessment. So far, the overall risk associated with the H7N9 virus has not changed.