H7N9 Bird Flu Cases In China Top 100; Deaths Reach 20
The number of confirmed H7N9 bird flu cases in China increased by five to 101 today, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Two new deaths were reported, bringing the total to 20.
The outbreak has been concentrated in eastern China. The two latest deaths were in Zhejiang Province, already one of the most-hit areas.
Zhejiang Province is located in eastern China.(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The majority of the most severe cases have been individuals over the age of 60, the South China Morning Post reported yesterday, The two new fatalities are a 76-year-old farmer and a 62-year-old woman, according to Xinhua.
Beijing and major eastern Chinese cities have closed live poultry markets and are taking other precautions to limit the spread of the new virus. More than half of the victims have had no contact with poultry, state media reported this week. Chinese media has estimated that the poultry industry has lost 17 billion yuan, or $2.7 billion.
Shares in Yum!, which has relied on China for much of its growth through its KFC chain, were little changed in New York yesterday. The company said earlier this month KFC same-store sales in China fell by 16% at a time when nervous consumers have shunned chicken, despite government advice that cooked meat is safe.
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