The latest outbreak of the bird
flu in China has been reported to have killed more than a third hospitalised
patients. The H7N9 strain, which flared up on February this year, has had a
higher death rate amongst hospitalised patients than the H1N1 ‘swine flu’ of
2009-2010 (which was responsible for the death of 21% hospitalised patients).
It is known, however, that only 54 patients were hospitalised for ‘swine flu’
between 2009 and 2010. Also, the H7N9 had a lower death rate than the H5N1 from
2003, which killed 60% of hospitalised patients. In sum, the statistical risk
of death from the latest strain of bird flu (H7N9) was reported to be between
0.16 and 2.8%.
Hence, the virus is not as
serious as it was previously thought to be. Reports state that out of all 131
patients with recorded infections, 129 were admitted into hospitals and 39
died. These infections all flared up in China and there was only one case
reported in Taiwan. At the moment, the virus can only spread from birds to
humans. However the main fear is that one day it could adapt and transform in a
way that it could be transmittable from humans to humans.
Scientists say that, although there is a stall
in the number of new infections, a new wave of flu can be expected in the
autumn. Since new infections have not been reported as of now, scientists now
suggest authorities be ready to continue to monitor the number of infected
patients and enforce novel healthcare measures to contain a possible new surge
of infections.