Expert warns of human cases of wild fowl flu

ZHONG Nan-shan, a famous expert in fighting SARS, has warned of the possible spread of bird flu from wild fowls to humans.

An Investigation of the First Case of Human Rabies Caused by a Fox in China in May 2016

This study assesses the causes and prevention measures of rabies through epidemiological investigation and analysis. A field epidemiological survey was conducted to investigate a case of rabies by fox bite. The onset of symptoms began 50 days after the bite. The patient did not receive standard treatment, rabies vaccination, or rabies immunoglobulin injection. The fox was killed on the spot. Saliva and pre-death blood samples were collected at different periods, and only blood RT-PCR tests yielded positive results. Wild fox bite is a major risk factor of rabies infection in Xinjiang Province, China.

Distribution of Avian Influenza A Viruses in Poultry-Related Environment and Its Association with Human Infection in Henan, 2016 to 2017

Objective To survey avian influenza A viruses(AIVs) in the environment and explore the reasons for the surge in human H7 N9 cases.Methods A total of 1,045 samples were collected from routine surveillance on poultry-related environments and 307 samples from human H7 N9 cases-exposed environments in Henan from 2016 to2017. The nucleic acids of influenza A(Flu A), H5, H7, and H9 subtypes were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results A total of 27 H7 N9 cases were confirmed in Henan from 2016 to 2017, 24 had a history of live poultry exposure, and 15 had H7 N9 virus detected in the related live poultry markets(LPMs). About 96%(264/275) Flu A positive-environmental samples were from LPMs. H9 was the main AIV subtype(10.05%) from routine surveillance sites with only 1 H7-positive sample, whereas 21.17% samples were H7-positive in H7 N9 cases-exposed environments. Samples from H7 N9 cases-exposed LPMs(47.56%)had much higher AIVs positive rates than those from routine surveillance sites(12.34%). The H7+H9 combination of mixed infection was 78.18%(43/55) of H7-positive samples and 41.34%(43/104) of H9-positive samples.Conclusion The contamination status of AIVs in poultry-related environments is closely associated with the incidence of human infection caused by AIVs. Therefore, systematic surveillance of AIVs in LPMs in China is essential for the detection of novel reassortant viruses and their potential for interspecies transmission.

Publicizing China's Human Rights——A Case Study on Human Rights White Papers

Human rights issues are practical political issues in the realm of international relations. Publicizing hu man rights to the rest of the wold i： one key means of spreading the tru image of a rising and responsibl large country. Effective publicit3 regarding human rights developmen can help China win undersandin and respect from the internationa community for China＇s human rightt policies, show the image of a demo cratic, progressive, civilized ant open large country, and create favor. able global public opinion for China Since the Communist Party of Chin （CPC） attaches great importance tc publicity regarding key human right, issues of economic and social signifi. cance in China and of international concern as well, it has organizec relevant press conferences and corn. piled white papers on human rights. White papers are important means fol China to publicize its human right, progress to the rest of the world anc are important windows by which foreign countries can understanc China＇s policies, principled stand, and achievements related to humar rights. Based on a review of Chinese government white papers, this article discusses the work, function and modes of human rights publicity.

Human rabies in China:evidence-based suggestions for improved case detection and data gathering

Background:China still suffers heavily from rabies,although reported human cases continue to decrease year over year.There are far fewer laboratory-confirmed human cases than clinically diagnosed cases,which is a big problem that needs to be addressed.In this report,we summarize analyses of all specimens from human cases tested in our laboratory over the past 15 years,in order to promote laboratory diagnosis of rabies.Methods:From 2005 to 2019,a total of 271 samples from 164 suspected rabies cases were collected from local hospitals by the local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDCs)in China.Saliva,cerebrospinal fluid(CSF),serum(blood)and urine were collected for ante-mortem diagnosis,and brain tissue,neck skin tissue and cornea were collected for post-mortem diagnosis.All of the specimens were tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and brain tissues were also tested using fluorescent antibody test(FAT).The number of positive test results obtained using different fluids or tissues,and at different stages of the disease,were compared using a chi-square test and a more effective sampling program is recommended.Results:As the national reference laboratory for rabies surveillance in China,our laboratory has tested 271 samples from 164 suspected rabies cases collected by local CDCs since 2005.We found that saliva gave the highest number of positive test results(32%),compared with CSF and other fluids.We also found that serum or blood specimens collected in the last 3 days of life can test positive by RT-PCR.Conclusions:Serum or blood samples collected in the last 3 days of a patient’s life can be used to measure viral RNA,which means that serum samples,as well as saliva and CSF,can be used to detect viral RNA for anti-mortem diagnosis of rabies.Because of our findings,we have modified our“National Surveillance Project for Human Rabies”,by adding the collection and testing of serum samples from the end of the survival period.This will improve our national surveillance and laboratory diagnosis of human rabies.

8th human bird flu case confirmed in Hunan

The Ministry of Health on January 9 announced the country＇s eighth human case of H5N1 bird flu.