Epidemiologic and laboratory surveillance is under way in Iowa for a novel strain of avian influenza A (H7N9) that was first confirmed in Shanghai, China, in February. The World Health Organization reports that, as of May 8, the virus has killed 32 of the 131 people who were sickened by the new strain. All but one of the confirmed cases occurred in China. Taiwan reported one case of H7N9 on April 24.

Many of those who contracted H7N9 had contact with poultry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Chinese authorities are investigating the outbreak to determine if there is any human-to-human spread of H7N9. A virus can spread more quickly when it is passed from person to person rather than from animal to human.

On April 5, the CDC asked state and local health departments to begin enhanced surveillance for H7N9 among patients with influenza-like illnesses who had returned from China in the previous 10 days. The State Hygienic Laboratory can test for H7N9 and is working with the Iowa Department of Public Health and the CDC to monitor incidents of influenza in Iowa.

As of May 9, there were no known cases of H7N9 outside of China and Taiwan. More details about H7N9 are available from the CDC.

Source: The H7N9 graphic courtesy of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.