Earth Watch Report - Biological Hazards
H7N9
infection is transmitted to humans by direct exposure to infected live
or dead poultry or birds, or indirectly through exposure to environments
contaminated by infected poultry or birds, such as in a farmyard or
market setting. There is currently no evidence of sustained
human-to-human transmission of the virus.
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| Description |
| The
Ministry of Health in Malaysia (MOH) is reporting an imported case of
H7N9 avian influenza in a 67-year-old female tourist to Sabah, according
to a MOH press release dated Feb. 12 (computer translated).
Investigations revealed that the case had received initial treatment in
China for symptoms of fever , cough , runny nose , joint pain and
fatigue begin January 30, 2014 , four (4) days before he arrived in
Kuala Lumpur on February 3, 2014 . He left on February 4, 2014 and was
in Sandakan until February 6, 2014 . Next , he went to Kota Kinabalu on
February 6, 2014. On February 7, 2014 , the case is getting weaker and
sought treatment at a private clinic before being referred to the
district hospital . On the same day , the case was transferred to a
private hospital at the request of family members. Screening tests were
performed for the first sample suspected Avian Influenza A ( H7N9 ) on
February 9, 2014 and the second confirmatory test samples tested
positive on February 11, 2014 . Until now , the case is still receiving
treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU ) of the hospital and is in
stable condition . Ministry of Health Malaysia has implemented control
measures and reasonable precautions include improving the management of
infection control in hospitals. Contact detection of 16 members of the
group and 4 employees resorts that have close contact ( close contact)
with all cases found to be in good health. Malaysia joins Taiwan and
Hong Kong as countries with imported H7N9 avian influenza. |
| Biohazard name: | H7N9 - Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus |
| Biohazard level: | 4/4 Hazardous |
| Biohazard desc.: | Viruses
and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for
which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian
and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic
fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever,
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified
diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a
Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The
entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a
vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system,
and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the
biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured
to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water
service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will
undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility
of an accidental release. |
| Symptoms: | |
| Status: | confirmed |
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MOH closely monitoring Malaysia's H7N9 situation
H7N9
infection is transmitted to humans by direct exposure to infected live
or dead poultry or birds, or indirectly through exposure to environments
contaminated by infected poultry or birds, such as in a farmyard or
market setting. There is currently no evidence of sustained
human-to-human transmission of the virus.
Thursday, Feb 13, 2014
YourHealth, AsiaOne
SINGAPORE
- The Ministry of Health (MOH) Singapore said it is in close contact
with its Malaysian counterparts and is monitoring the situation
following an annoucement by the Ministry of Health Malaysia of its first
imported human case of avian influenza A/H7N9 in Kota Kinabalu.
A
67-year-old Chinese national who had travelled to Malaysia from
Guangdong was tested positive for H7N9 after she complained of fever,
cough, body aches and fatigue.
The Singapore Health Ministry said
that the public health risk to Singapore remains low as the
characteristics of H7N9 in human infections have not changed.
H7N9
infection is transmitted to humans by direct exposure to infected live
or dead poultry or birds, or indirectly through exposure to environments
contaminated by infected poultry or birds, such as in a farmyard or
market setting. There is currently no evidence of sustained
human-to-human transmission of the virus, MOH said.
In a media
statement, the Health Ministry said that Singapore's hospitals "remain
vigilant to test for H7N9 and other avian influenza where clinically
indicated, such as in patients with serious respiratory illness and a
compatible travel history."
"All suspected and confirmed cases
will be isolated. In addition, if a case is detected, MOH will conduct
contact tracing and all close contacts will be placed under
surveillance."
Health advisories have been put in place at
Singapore's border checkpoints for incoming travellers from areas
affected by avian influenza, as well as for outgoing travellers to these
affected areas.
Read More Here
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