13.02.2014

Z Meng et al (2014) Eurosurveillance Volume 19, Issue 6, 13 February 2014

Genetic variations in the deadly bird flu virus circulating in China increase the potential for a pandemic strain to emerge, researchers in Shanghai said. Recent re-emerged influenza A(H7N9) virus infections in China, especially the rapid outbreak in Zhejiang province in December 2013, involving 60 cases, have raised concerns. As of 31 January 2014, there were a total of 260 cases: 127 of these have occurred in 2014. Cases have been reported from Zhejiang, Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces, Shanghai metropolitan area and Hong Kong in 2014. Four lineages and Three new reassortments of A(H7N9) virus were identified by phylogenetic analysis and DNA mutation analysis of the PB1 gene: between A(H7N9) and Zhejiang-derived strains, Guangdong/Hong Kong-derived strains or Hunan-derived A(H9N2) strains. The new findings suggest there is a possible risk that a pandemic could develop.