Taiwan’s First Local H7 Flu Case Identified as H7N7: CDC

Taipei: Taiwan's first domestically detected novel H7 subtype influenza A case has been identified as H7N7, a low-pathogenic strain, with the risk considered controllable, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Friday. Genetic sequencing found no evidence of increased bird-to-human transmission or mutations linked to antiviral resistance, CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui said. According to Focus Taiwan, the patient, a duck farmer in his 70s from Changhua County, has recovered and been discharged after testing negative, the CDC said. The case was reported on Thursday, with authorities identifying 33 contacts who will be monitored through Monday. Tseng said the virus differs from H7 strains reported in humans in Europe 10 to 20 years ago and is more closely related to strains previously detected in Taiwan's wild birds, suggesting the infection was likely a sporadic event. Globally, more than 90 human H7N7 cases have been reported since 1959, most before 2003, with the vast majority involving mild symptoms a nd only one death recorded. The CDC cited World Health Organization assessments indicating that avian influenza transmission to humans remains largely sporadic, with no evidence of sustained human-to-human spread. While the infection risk for the general public is low, Tseng said people with occupational exposure, such as poultry workers, face a low to moderate risk. The CDC urged those working with poultry to follow protective measures and seek medical attention if they develop respiratory or eye symptoms, while informing doctors of any animal contact history.