0 The cases of infected with bird flu in China grow , but there is no danger of an epidemic.

On Tuesday, January 28 , the total number of people infected in China for 2014 H7N9 virus reached 100 . However, experts say there is no danger of an epidemic during the weekends for the most important holiday in the country - the Spring festival , or Chinese New Year .

In recent days, almost daily reports of new cases of people infected with the virus H7N9. On Tuesday, January 28 , in the eastern Zhejiang province were reported 4 new cases that number this year has reached 53 people .

According to the initial infection with the virus H7N9, which was announced in February 2013, so far in mainland China they are already over 245 people , they died by Tuesday, January 28 are 56. In May last year the cases declined , but as happens generally with flu virus during the winter months at the end of 2013 cases of people infected with the new strain again started to increase. In January according to the National Center for Control and Prevention of Disease , the number of people infected has exceeded 100, and the deceased 19.




Despite rapid growth in the number of people infected with bird flu , authorities say that the likelihood of a major epidemic remains small, given that the transmission of the virus from person to person has been sporadic.

Feng Dzadzyan is deputy director of the National Center for Control and Prevention of Disease .

" In epidemiology work with an index that defines the diseases that can be spread among the people. If the disease can spread , the index will be greater than one. This means that the disease can be transferred from one person to more . However, when the index is below unity , the disease will not spread on a large scale . Our analysis of the H7N9 virus and its index by 0.09 points show that there is a serious danger of the outbreak . "

WHO also said that so far there is no evidence of " stable " transfer of the virus between humans. Chinese authorities take draconian measures to limit the reach of people living birds. Cities in Hangzhou , Ningbo and Dzinhua trade in live birds was banned and Hong Kong , where one paid Guangdong Province chickens was discovered virus H7N9, were slaughtered 20,000 birds. authorities in SAR banned imports of live poultry from mainland China and sell them for three weeks.

Shu Yuelun is director of the National Center for flu. According to him, there is no danger of bird flu epidemic during the Spring holiday, which is a peak period travel in the country.

" The disease is spread primarily from birds to humans. During peak travel for spring holiday, regardless of the massive gathering of people in one place , no particular risks of spreading disease . So exodus will not lead to the outbreak of the epidemic. "

He added that this should not soothe ordinary citizens. Authorities will step up monitoring for potential virus carriers in key transportation hubs , airports, railway stations and bus stations . Passengers who were with temperatures above 38 degrees and have had contact with live birds will be required to undergo a medical examination before you set off.

China has made progress in developing a vaccine against H7N9. Hunanskata company " Hualan Bioengineering " in early January announced that the vaccine being developed by its subsidiary " Hulan Biobakterin " has passed initial approval of health authorities , but it will take time until the produce it

The meeting with the media, dedicated to current concerns about bird flu , Chief Executive of Hong Kong Lan Chunin , questioned whether residents should continue with the habit to buy live poultry markets . According to him, this practice should be reconsidered , since even a single case of bird flu in Hong Kong, forcing residents to pay a social price for their health.

Lan Chunin added that all the Hong Kong society, including poultry dealers , restaurants and other sectors should pay attention to the advice of the authorities and personal hygiene, as well as to comply with health orders.

Every time after registration of a case of infection with H7N9 authorities SAR killing thousands and even millions of birds to ensure that the infection does not spread .

Last Sunday , Deputy Prime Minister of China Liu Yandun also spoke specifically on the topic of avian flu , indicating the need for coordinated efforts to prevent and control infection .

Under the plan for the diagnosis and treatment of people infected with the virus H7N9, which was announced last week , the majority of people who have contracted the disease from another person , it was an accident and can not talk about regularity. However , the danger remains, and the Chinese authorities are doing everything possible to limit the possible outbreak of a real bird flu epidemic.