Relationship Between Domestic and Wild Birds in Live Poultry Market and a Novel Human H7N9 Virus in China

Abstract

To trace the source of the avian H7N9 viruses, we collected 99 samples from 4 live poultry markets and the family farms of 3 patients in Hangzhou city of Zhejiang province, China. We found that almost all positive samples came from chickens and ducks in live poultry markets. These results strongly suggest that the live poultry markets are the major source of recent human infections with H7N9 in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province of China. Therefore, control measures are needed, not only in the domestic bird population, but also in the live poultry markets to reduce human H7N9 infection risk.

Coexistence of Avian Influenza Virus H10 and H9 Subtypes among Chickens in Live Poultry Markets during an Outbreak of Infection with a Novel H10N8 Virus in Humans in Nanchang, China

“…Most human cases had previous exposure to LPMs or direct contact with live poultry before the onset of symptoms (3). In addition, several investigations of LPMs following infection in humans with H7N9 virus were conducted, and H7N9 viruses were detected in the poultry markets (7). In addition, mixed infections with viruses of different HA subtypes were identified (8), which might facilitate genetic reassortment, thus contributing to the emergence of new AIVs.…”

Influenza at the animal–human interface: a review of the literature for virological evidence of human infection with swine or avian influenza viruses other than A(H5N1)

“…As of 27 January 2014, 251 cases of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) have been reported from Zhejiang (102 cases), Shanghai (42), Jiangsu (31), Guangdong (32), Fujian (15), Jiangxi (5), Henan (4), Anhui (4), Hunan (4), Hong Kong (3), Beijing (3), Shandong (2), Taiwan (2), Hebei (1) and Guizhou (1). In addition, the virus has been detected in one asymptomatic case in Beijing (not included in the current case count).…”

“…The major source of infection for humans seems to be poultry handled in the poultry market, while wild birds are the reservoir for H7 and N9 genes of influenza viruses [31,32]. Live bird markets seem to amplify the infection: wild birds mixing with poultry can lead to environmental contamination [33].…”

Upregulation of <i>GLE</i>1 and <i>LCP</i>2 Genes in H5N1 Influenza Virus Infected Patients

“…Disease outbreaks and human infections of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in Hong Kong in 1997 [1], H7N9 avian influenza virus in China in 2013 [2] [3], and H5N6 avian influenza virus in China in 2014 [4] were mainly caused by close contact of humans with infected birds or influenza virus-contaminated environments. These events demonstrate that a future pandemic from avian influenza viruses is potentially one of the biggest global health threats.…”