Avian influenza – situation in China – update 42

24 November 2005

The Ministry of Health in China has confirmed a further case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case, which was fatal, occurred in a 35-year-old woman who worked as a farmer in the south-eastern province of Anhui. She developed symptoms on 11 November, was hospitalized on 15 November, and died on 22 November.

This is the third laboratory-confirmed case reported in China and the second from Anhui Province. Of these cases, two have been fatal.

The Chinese Ministry of Health has invited WHO to participate in a joint mission to Anhui Province. The mission will review laboratory findings and investigate the exposure histories of the two cases reported there.

Since mid-October, China has reported a recurrence of poultry outbreaks in several parts of the country.