Fatal Avian Influenza Case in Beijing

The Chinese government announced on January 6 the death of a Beijing woman from highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. The announcement indicates that this person contracted the disease from cleaning the internal organs of ducks bought in a market in Hebei Province. It also states that no other individuals have been found to be infected, and that there are currently no sick or dead birds in the region.

One week ago, a child from Shenzhen Province was infected with a less virulent version of H9N2 avian influenza and hospitalized. She has since recovered and has been discharged from the hospital.

Since 2003, China has reported that 31 people have contracted highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza; 21 of them have died. This new death is the first in a year. Recent prevention and control measures may be responsible for the decrease in infections and deaths. All but one of the cases has a documented history of direct contact with birds or probable direct contact with infected birds. (In December 2008, a father became infected while caring for his fatally infected son in hospital without observing recommended hospital infection control practices. He was exposed to large amounts of infected body fluids; such exposure could not happen during the routine activities of daily life). Although these cases are rare, the U.S. Government continues to pay very close attention to the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus in China (and worldwide), in case it mutates over time to become transmissible from human to human.

The people at greatest risk for contracting highly pathogenic avian influenza are poultry workers, who in unsanitary conditions can become infected by inhaling the virus from infected birds, or transplanting the virus from contaminated hands to mouth. Thus, raising and slaughtering birds is discouraged. In addition, the following steps are recommended when handling poultry products:

• Wash hands for at least 20 seconds before and after handling fresh poultry and or eggs;
• Prevent cross-contamination by keeping poultry and their juices away from other foods;
• Wash hands for at least 20 seconds, cutting board, knife, and counter tops with hot, soapy water after cutting raw poultry;
• Sanitize cutting boards and other utensils by using a solution of 1 teaspoon chlorine bleach in 1 quart of water; and,

Use a food thermometer to ensure food has reached the safe internal temperature—in all parts of the bird. Cook poultry to at least 165° F (74° C) to kill food borne germs that might be present, including the avian influenza virus.

For further information about Avian Influenza, please consult the United States Centers for Disease Control web site at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/ or the U.S. State Department fact sheet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. or Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Embassy can be reached 24 hours per day at 86-10-8531-4000. The addresses and telephone contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates are at the bottom of this announcement.

U.S. citizens residing or traveling in China are reminded to register with the U.S. Embassy or closest U.S. Consulate by entering your travel itinerary and contact information at: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs. In case of difficulties registering online, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

U.S. Embassy Beijing: Tian Ze Road Intersection of An Jia Lou Road, Chaoyang District. Telephone number during regular business hours and for after hours emergencies: 86-10-8531-4000, Email: amcitbeijing@state.gov. Embassy’s website: beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn.

U.S. Consulate General Chengdu: Number 4, Lingshiguan Road, Section 4, Renmin Nanlu, Chengdu 610041, tel. 86-28-8558-3992 Email: consularchengdu@state.gov. For after hours emergencies, please call 86-28-1370-800-1422.

U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou: The Consular Section is located at 5th Floor, Tianyu Garden (II phase), 136-146 Lin He Zhong Lu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510133, tel. 86-20-8518-7605; Email:GuangzhouACS@state.gov. Guangzhou adoptions Email: GuangzhouA@state.gov. For after hours emergencies, please call 86-20-8121-8000.

U.S. Consulate General Shanghai: The Consular Section is located in the Westgate Mall, 8^th Floor, 1038 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai 200041; tel. 86-21-3217-4650, Email: Shanghaiacs@state.gov. For after hours emergencies, please call 86-21-6433-3936.

U.S. Consulate General Shenyang: No. 52, 14^th Wei Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110003; tel. 86-24-2322-1198, Email: ShenyangACS@state.gov. For after hours emergencies, please call 86-24-137-0988-9307.