Taiwan reports first domestic H7 flu infection to WHO

Taipei, April 2 (CNA) Taiwan has notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of its first local novel H7 subtype influenza A infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

A duck farmer in his 70s from Changhua County was admitted to a hospital on March 22, two days after developing a runny nose, cough, body aches and fever, CDC epidemiologist Lin Yung-ching (林詠青) said at a news conference.

After testing and genetic sequencing confirmed the H7 subtype, the patient received antiviral treatment and is recovering well, Lin added.

Genetic sequencing showed the virus belongs to the Eurasian lineage, similar to H7 strains detected in Taiwan's wild bird populations, and is distinct from the H7N9 virus that circulated in China from 2013 to 2019, the CDC said in a news release.

The CDC was still unable to determine the source of the virus, but suspected it may be linked to droppings from wild birds in the surrounding area, spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) said, adding that tests on 20 of the man's duck farms all came back negative.

Because preliminary analysis found no mutations associated with increased bird-to-human transmission, the case was considered a sporadic avian-to-human infection, CDC Director-General Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) said.

The risk is considered controllable, with no immediate concern of further spread. However, the CDC will continue monitoring the patient's contacts and tracing potential sources of infection, and has notified the WHO on Thursday, Lo added.

A total of 33 people who had contact with the patient are being monitored until next Monday, and three of them received preventive treatment, the CDC said.

The CDC reminded the public to follow key infection prevention measures, including avoiding raw poultry, eggs, and related products, and washing hands thoroughly with soap. It will also distribute 50,000 masks to duck farmers to help reduce the risk of infection.

According to CDC surveillance data, since novel influenza A was listed as a notifiable disease -- a disease that must be reported to public health authorities -- in 2014, there have been four sporadic cases in Taiwan: one each in 2017 (H7N9, imported from China), 2021 (H1N2v), 2022 (H1N2v), and 2023 (H1N2v).