Talking Points: Avian Influenza (March 3, 2017)

Talking Points – H7N9 Avian Flu

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The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and clients when discussing H7N9 avian flu and travel to China. (Updated March 3, 2017)

1. The CDC hasn’t implemented any travel restrictions to China due to confirmed cases avian influenza A (H7N9). However, due to its “Level 1 – Watch,” the CDC recommends that travelers avoid contact with poultry, birds and their droppings.

2. There are basic precautions travelers can follow to limit their possible exposure while traveling in China.

3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority.

Below you will find additional information, supporting material, and statistics supporting each talking point.

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hasn’t implemented any travel restrictions to China due to confirmed cases of avian influenza A (H7N9). However, due to its “Level 1 – Watch,” the CDC recommends that travelers avoid contact with poultry, birds and their droppings.

 The CDC has issued a “Level 1 – Watch” for China due to reported and confirmed cases of avian influenza A (H7N9). Most of these infections have been associated with contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments (such as poultry markets) in China.

o According to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on March 3, 2017: “During the ongoing fifth epidemic (beginning October 1, 2016), 460 human infections with A (H7N9) virus have been reported, including 453 in mainland China, six associated with travel to mainland China from Hong Kong (four cases), Macao (one) and Taiwan (one), and one in an asymptomatic poultry worker in Macao.

 Most human infections continue to result in severe respiratory illness and have been associated with poultry exposure. Although some limited human-to-human spread continues to be identified, no sustained human-to-human A (H7N9) transmission has been observed.”

 The New York Times reports that although “the risk of an epidemic remains low,” “…he virus — which has killed about a third of the people known to have caught it — has now split into two distinct strains.

o “The new strain kills more birds, which may make China’s poultry industry more willing to shut live bird markets and do more to protect poultry farms from infection. Almost all cases have been caught directly from birds.”

o “China has had 460 lab-confirmed human cases of H7N9 bird flu this winter, said Dr. Wenqing Zhang, head of the W.H.O.’s global influenza program. That is the most in any flu season since the first human case was found in 2013.”

o However, it should be noted that “New cases of H7N9 are declining, so this winter’s outbreak appears to have peaked, said Yuelong Shu, an influenza expert at China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention.”

o “As a precaution, American scientists have been making an H7N9 seed vaccine from which an emergency stockpile could be brewed if the virus became both

 

lethal and highly transmissible, said Jacqueline Katz, deputy director of the C.D.C.’s flu division.”

 Influenza A is also sometimes referred to as “Avian flu” or “bird flu.”

o Early symptoms are consistent with seasonal flu and may include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue, loss of appetite, and runny or stuffy nose.

o Influenza A (H7N9) was first detected in humans in early 2013.

o “Influenza A (H7N9) is one of a subgroup of influenza viruses that normally circulate among birds,” according to the WHO.

 On March 1, the South China Morning Post reported a concern about a drug resistant mutation of Avian influenza.

o “Taiwan’s Centre for Disease Control announced earlier this month that gene sequence analysis of a H7N9 bird flu patient, who fell ill after visiting Guangdong, found the virus had a mutation that was resistant to antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza.”

o “As of Sunday, 94 people have died from the illness on the mainland this year. The number of deaths so far this year have already surpassed the total number of H7N9 fatalities last year, which was 73.”

2. There are basic precautions travelers can follow to limit their possible exposure while traveling in China.

 Because the source of H7N9 is unknown, and there is no vaccine to prevent the virus, travelers in China should follow basic hygiene and food safety practices and avoid contact with animals. The CDC recommends:

o Do not touch birds, pigs, or other animals.

 Do not touch animals whether they are alive or dead.

 Avoid live bird or poultry markets.

 Avoid other markets or farms with animals.

o Eat food that is fully cooked.

 Eat meat and poultry that is fully cooked (not pink) and served hot.

 Eat hard-cooked eggs (not runny).

 Don’t eat or drink dishes that include blood from any animal.

 Don’t eat food from street vendors.

o Wash your hands often. If soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

o Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. Also, try to avoid close contact (kissing, hugging, sharing eating utensils or cups) with people who are sick.

o See a doctor if you become sick during or after travel to China, particularly right away if you experience a fever, coughing, or shortness of breath.

o If you get sick while in China, visit the U.S. Department of State website to find a list of local doctors and hospitals. Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website (www.jointcommissioninternational.org).

o If you get sick with fever, coughing, or shortness of breath after you return to the United States, be sure to tell your doctor about your recent travel to China.

3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority.

 We would not send our clients to a particular destination if we believe it to be unsafe. Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may be planning to travel there and provide detailed information on the situation so they can make informed decisions for themselves if they still wish to travel.

 We strongly encourage all of our clients, whether they are traveling domestically or internationally, to purchase travel insurance, particularly right at the same time as travel has been booked. Travel insurance offers an additional layer of protection for travelers and can potentially help save a traveler hundreds or thousands of dollars if a medical or travel emergency occurs.

 We are advocates for our clients; and they know that by working with a true travel professional, we are there for them before, during, and after their trip should they need us – which gives them peace of mind.

 By working with a trusted travel professional, we can provide providing alternative travel arrangements should the need arise.

 Our business is founded on repeat customers. Therefore, we want to be sure everything goes off without a hitch.