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File photo Irwin Fedriansyiah/AP/Press Association Images

New avian flu strain kills two in China, one critical

The victims contracted H7N9 avian influenza, a sub-type that has not previously been transmitted to humans.

TWO PEOPLE IN China have died after being infected with H7N9 avian influenza — a sub-type that had not previously been transmitted to humans — the government said Sunday.

An 87-year-old man in Shanghai fell ill on February 19 and died on March 4, while a man aged 27 in the city got sick on February 27 and died on March 10, the National Health and Family Planning Commission said on its website.

A 35-year-old woman in the eastern province of Anhui became ill on March 9 and is in critical condition, it said.

All three initially suffered fever and coughs but later developed severe pneumonia and problems with breathing, according to the announcement.

The three cases were confirmed Saturday to be infections with the H7N9 sub-strain after the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Preservation had separated it from body samples the day before, the commission said.

The route of infection remained unknown although nothing unusual was detected among 88 people close to the victims, the commission said.

The H7N9 strain had not been transmitted to humans before, it added.

In a separate release, the commission said there are currently no vaccines against H7N9.

It also explained that the delay in announcing the results was because it took time to determine the cause of the illnesses.

China is considered one of the nations most at risk from bird flu because it has the world’s biggest poultry population and many chickens in rural areas are kept close to humans.

China has in the past been accused of covering up the extent of bird flu outbreaks, exacerbating fears when new cases are reported.

The World Health Organisation says more than 360 confirmed human deaths from the H5N1 strain of avian influenza have been reported to it globally from 2003 until March 12 this year.

It says other sub-types have infected humans, including H7N7 and H9N2, and some of these infections led to deaths.

- © AFP, 2013

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    Mute John Meade
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    Jul 16th 2013, 10:41 AM

    This coming from a man who clicks his fingers at Gardai

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    Mute Paul Keenan
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    Jul 16th 2013, 12:29 PM

    And pushes a camera man away.

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    Mute Philip O'Rourke
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    Jul 16th 2013, 1:08 PM

    And from the government of personal attacks.

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    Mute Chuck Farrelly
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    Jul 16th 2013, 10:40 AM

    Remember when Brendan Howlin himself was described as “a safe pair of balls” by Susan McKay? Remember the outrage then? Me neither.

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    Mute Mark Garrigan
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    Jul 16th 2013, 10:50 AM

    Can we not get rid of the Dail first?

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    Mute Nigel O Keeffe
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    Jul 16th 2013, 10:55 AM

    government must be delighted at all this ,keeping the anglo tapes off range,not to mention all the real problems ..mortage arrears..unemployment..all the things they should be working on!
    is the country really outraged at a common enough word?..dont think so!

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    Mute Morticia
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    Jul 16th 2013, 10:38 AM

    Who put Happy up it ?

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    Mute John Kelly
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    Jul 16th 2013, 12:22 PM

    Minister Howlin has some cheek, answer him and his party friends to start looking after the people of Ireland and run the country properly but then again minister Howlin would not run to the shops never mind the country.

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    Mute Billy Brennan's Barn
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    Jul 16th 2013, 3:06 PM

    Come on out of the closet Brendan at this stage & stand up on your own morals

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    Mute Philip O'Rourke
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    Jul 16th 2013, 1:21 PM

    With the Seanad out of the way,
    A large bronze statue of Enda Kenny will be erected on O’Connell Street.
    Michael Martin will be sent to Mayo for re-education before his forced induction into the New FG, comprised totally of failed school teachers.
    Labour will be disbanded due to lack of school teachers.

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    Mute richardmccarthy
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    Jul 16th 2013, 12:05 PM

    Im just glad i didnt vote him for President.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Jul 16th 2013, 5:50 PM

    Howlin, who can take money from peoples wages before a democratic vote can take place on Haddington rd, is acting like an autocrat, the man is a joke !!!!!

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jul 16th 2013, 6:55 PM

    So was the “Regina Monologues”
    Quite funny!

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    Mute TheIrishBrain
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    Jul 16th 2013, 3:45 PM

    Non person with gray opinions and views, incapable of answering a question without resorting to obfuscation.Career polation.

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