Frequently Asked Questions About H7N9 Influenza

1. What is H7N9 influenza virus?

The "H" and "N" designations of the influenza virus refer to the genes that code the proteins on the outside of the virus that determine how the virus infects birds, people, and other mammals. The H in the virus name refers to its hemagluttinin gene, which provides the virus to attach to cells in its host. The N in a flu virus name refers to the neuraminidase gene, which codes the protein that allows the progeny of the virus to escape the host cell and infect other cells in its host's body.  

The H7 influenza viruses are a group of infections that ordinarily become an epidemic among birds. The H7N9 virus first spread primarily from ducks but also from pigeons and chickens to people in early 2013, and through mutations that occurred between April and August of 2013 it has acquired the ability to spread from human to human, although it is not yet highly contagious.

2. What kinds of symptoms does H7N9 cause?

This particular H7 virus tends to cause pneumonia in people. In some cases, it just causes shortness of breath, cough, and fever.

3. Why are public health officials concerned about H7N9?

In addition to causing severe symptoms, the H7N9 virus is resistant to the most commonly used medication for relieving the symtoms of flu, Tamiful (oseltamivir). However, it can be treated with Relenza (zanamivir).

4. How many people have come down with this strain of flu?

The National Health and Family Planning Commission of China typically reports 2 to 4 new cases a day, victims of this strain of flu almost always placed in critical care units in hospitals. As this article is being written the number of cases worldwide is only in the hundreds. The World Health Organization updates information about the spread of H7N9 daily. We have posted a link to the Wolrd Health Organization website below.

5. Who is most at risk for infection from this virus?

Typically chickens raised for human consumption catch the virus from ducks, and ducks catch the virus from migrating birds. It is primarily poultry raised in or near Hong Kong that has been infected with the virus. Cooked chicken does not transmit the virus, but killing, gutting, plucking, or cooking a bird infected with this strain of flu can transmit the disease.

Read More: H1N1 Vaccine Side Effects: Reactions to Swine Flu Vaccine

6. Should I cancel my trip to China because of this virus?

No, but you should not plan on taking a job as a chicken plucker. It may also be prudent to avoid visiting live poultry markets and eating undercooked or raw chicken.

7. If someone I know comes down with this form of flu, should I be worried.

No. At least as of January, 2014, the virus has not been shown to spread from person to person in families, despite contact with saliva and mucus from household members.