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Hong Kong has now reported its first death from the H7N9 flu and is strengthening its flu screening at the border.
On Dec. 26, a man in Hong Kong died from the new strain of bird flu, H7N9. This is the second instance of H7N9 being reported in Hong Kong, since Dec. 2, which was also its first death. Authorities in Hong Kong have verified that the deceased is an 80-year-old man.
According to reports, the man had a history of heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. It is also understood that the man had lived for a long time in Shenzhen, and had been treated at local clinics. On Dec.3, due to high blood sugar and general discomfort, the man's family brought him back to Hong Kong to seek medical treatment. In Hong Kong it was verified that he had contracted the new strain of flu, after which he was then put in quarantine.
In anticipation of the new strain of flu, flu checks at border crossings have already been strengthened in Hong Kong. Hundreds of people have already been found to have been in contact with carriers of the H7N9 flu. Hong Kong's first case of the new flu was a 36-year-old Indonesian house servant who often traveled between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Due to the fact that the virus has already spread in mainland China health officials estimate that the winter's low temperatures will contribute to an increase in the number of cases. According to the World Health Organization, since February of this year mainland China has already had 138 reported cases of H7N9, 45 of which have been fatal.
