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Friday 26 April 2013

New Bird Flu H7N9

My family is watching closely how the events are unfolding in China with regards to the new strain of bird flu H7N9. To date, there are 109 reported H7N9 cases within mainland China, including 23 deaths. According to Keiji Fukuda, WHO's assistant director-general for health, security and the enviornment told a news conference in Beijing that H7N9 is "definitely one of the most lethal influenza viruses" that they have seen so far.
Actually, I won't be surprised if the numbers are higher than reported as mainland China is such a vast area and it would take time for numbers to come in. We also knew it is only a matter of time before H7N9 "flew" across the strait to Taiwan. True enough, the first known case of H7N9 was reported in Taiwan on Wednesday 24 April 2013 and the Taiwanese was working in China.  
It is worrying because my girls and I will be going back to Taiwan for a visit in June 2013. I think we better take the flu jab before we leave for Taiwan. Although the existing flu jab may not fight against H7N9, it would at least reduce the chance of catching flu. Better safe than sorry and better something than nothing at all.   

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