2 Die in China of H7N9 Bird Flu

Lesser known strain of H5N1; no signs human are transmitting it
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 31, 2013 8:36 AM CDT
2 Die in China of H7N9 Bird Flu
A man holds a cage with bird at a bird market on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010.   (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

China is downplaying the deaths of two men in Shanghai from the less known H7N9 strain of bird flu, claiming that there are thus far no signs of human-to-human transmission. A woman is also in critical condition in a nearby province, though the AP notes that none of the 88 people in close contact with the three victims show signs of infection. The WHO says it's "closely monitoring the situation," and "transmission of the virus appears to be inefficient, therefore the risk to public health would appear to be low." H7N9 is considered a "low pathogenic strain," notes the AP. (More China stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X