Xinhua reported that the health authorities in Guangdong Province have beem downplaying information about the H7N9 epidemic. “They no longer actively release case information to the media and case notifications no longer contain the words ‘history of contact with live poultry.’”
Reports indicate that poultry trade associations in Guangdong Province and Guangxi Province have submitted letters to different levels of the government requesting suspension of regular information release regarding H7N9 so they can avoid over-reporting on the epidemic.”
According to health authorities, there were 110 confirmed H7N9 cases from January 1 to 28 and 20 fatalities. Most of these cases occurred in Zhejiang Province, Guangdong Province, and Shanghai.
Source: Xinhua, February 4, 2014
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