Mar 25, 2007

H9N1 Infection in Nine-month-old

The Centre for Health protection (CHP) of the Department of Health in Hong Kong reported a case of influenza A virus (H9N2) in a nine-month-old girl on March 20, 2007 at the Princess Margaret Hospital. H9N1 is an avian strain of influenza A that has been isolated from duck and chicken for many years. Infection in humans, although rare, appears to present as a mild disease.

The girl involved had not traveled outside of Hong Kong recently and family members showed no symptoms of influenza.

Although the initial press release suggested that H9N1 had been isolated from a nasopharyngeal aspirate specimen form the girl at the United Christian Hospital where she was first admitted, an update on March 22, 2007 indicated that the nasopharyngeal aspirate specimen taken on March 20 at the Princess Margaret Hospital was found to be negative for H9 virus. The reason for the opposing information is unclear, and further investigation is ongoing with respect to the source of infection.

She is currently being diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus infection and is in stable condition.

Source:

Centre for Health Protection (Hong Kong)