Avian influenza – situation in China – update 8

24 March 2006

The Ministry of Health in China has confirmed the country’s 16th case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case, which was fatal, occurred in a 29-year-old female migrant worker. She was hospitalized in Shanghai on 15 March with symptoms of pneumonia and died on 21 March.

This is the first case reported in Shanghai. Her source of infection is under investigation. No poultry outbreaks have been reported in the Shanghai area since February 2004.

According to Chinese authorities, the woman’s close contacts have been placed under medical observation.

To date, China has reported 16 cases of H5N1 infection, of which 11 have been fatal.