High severity and fatality of human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9) infection in China

摘要

Severe infection by a novel influenza virus, distinct from the circulating human influenza A virus, in humans usually heralds a sporadic pattern of severe human infection or an influenza pandemic [1]. Accordingly, the discovery of the novel avian influenza A(H7N9) virus is of great public health significance [2]. Because this virus has not been detected previously in humans or in animals, many urgent questions and global public health concerns need to be addressed [3].