Severity of Influenza A (H7N9) Infections, and Comparison of H7N9 and H5N1 Infections

The fatality risk for hospitalized patients with H7N9 infections was 36%; for those with H5N1 infections, it was 70%.

Avian influenza A viruses have caused human outbreaks in China — since 2003 for H5N1 and early 2013 for H7N9 — with H7N9 causing more confirmed cases than H5N1 so far in that country. Recently, investigators analyzed data from the Chinese CDC to assess the severity of H7N9 infections and, in a separate study, to compare the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of all laboratory-confirmed cases of H7N9 and H5N1 infection reported as of the end of May 2013.

Yu and colleagues examined risks for death, admission to intensive care, and mechanical ventilation among 123 patients (age, ≥60 in 58%) hospitalized with H7N9 infection. The estimated fatality risk was 36%; the risk for mechanical ventilation or fatality was 69%. Patients aged ≥60 we…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Severity of Influenza A (H7N9) Infections, and Comparison of H7N9 and H5N1 Infections

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Reviewing Author