Novel Avian Influenza H7N9 Virus Pandemic Threat in China: A Review

Outbreaks of H7N9 avian influenza in human in 5 provinces and 2 municipalities of China have reawakened concern that avian influenza viruses may again cross species barriers to infect the human and poultry population and thereby initiate a new influenza pandemic threat. Evolutionary analysis showed that human H7N9 influenza viruses originated from H9N2, H7N3 and H11N9 virus of avian and was identified to be a novel reassortment influenza virus. A avian influenza infections have caused heavy economic losses to the poultry industry in China as well as numerous other regions worldwide. A novel Avian Influenza (H7N9) are among the most prominent viruses affecting animal and public health. Based on data this review provides information on the current situation regarding the avian influenza A (H7N9) outbreak in China. However, at present, no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission were observed. In this review article, therefore, an attempt has been made to summarize the latest available studies and findings to serve as the scientific basis to inform technical briefing to public health authorities and others involved in pandemic influenza planning and that are also interesting to the general public. Public health authorities and clinicians need to be aware of surveillance guidance and laboratory testing needs to be made available. A comprehensive human and veterinary surveillance strategy is needed to detect extension of the infection towards China.