The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) (November 11) received notification of two additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) from the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
 
     The two patients are:
 

1. A female farmer aged 77 from Huzhou, Zhejiang, in serious condition. She bought poultry from a live poultry market before onset; and
2. A man aged 89 from Suzhou, Jiangsu, in serious condition.

 
     "As winter approaches, based on the seasonal pattern of avian influenza viruses, their activity in the Mainland is expected to increase. The public should avoid contact with poultry, birds and their droppings and should not visit live poultry markets and farms to prevent avian influenza," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     From 2013 to date, 777 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities.