Cases of the H7 flu virus have been identified following the discovery of avian flu at a smallholding near Corwen in North Wales, UK. 12 avian flu contacts had been identified who have or have had symptoms of a flu like illness or conjunctivitis. No one is seriously ill.
The National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS) has identified 142 people who may have had contact with the avian flu:
47 in the household setting
14 in school
81 in the workplace setting
The list is constantly changing as possible contacts are added to or taken off the database. Contacts are added if contact was possible. They are taken off if detailed questioning shows that there was no contact.
The illness people are experiencing is, for the most part, not serious. No one is seriously ill.
Preliminary investigations indicate that one cannot exclude person to person spread having occurred in this outbreak. Person to person spread would be very unusual but limited spread of this type has been seen elsewhere in the past in some cases of bird flu. There is no laboratory confirmation. As a precautionary measure the NPHS, UK is continuing to offer people who have had contact with individuals with this illness antiviral medication to minimise the risk of spread.
Experience of this particular bird flu virus in humans is limited so NPHS is actively managing the public health response. The risk to the health of the general public is assessed to be low.
The National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS) has received microbiological test results from nine people in Wales so far. These are from swabs taken from the nose and throat and eyes. They have been tested for the Influenza A viruses, including the H7 subtype that has been isolated from the affected poultry. Two tests have been reported as positive for H7 subtype.
For this reason, the NPHS is contacting every individual who has been in close contact with the people who are cases. People identified as contacts are being offered medication to reduce the severity of any impact from the infection.
People with symptoms of conjunctivitis and flu and meet the definition of a case have been given treatment. They have been advised to stay at home until they are better.
All well contacts are being given medication to reduce the severity of any impact from the infection.
A Special Helpline available for general information about avian flu in people is open from 7am to 8pm daily. The number is 0845 600 3678.