The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 18) received notification of 23 additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) with onset of symptoms between January 17 and February 19 from the National Health and Family Planning Commission, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.

     The patients comprise 18 men and five women aged 21 to 78, seven of whom (six men and one woman) have died. Seven cases are from Zhejiang, six are from Jiangsu, six are from Hunan, three are from Fujian and one is from Shandong.