It’s the H7N9 virus, one of several strains of bird flu that affect people. It first emerged in humans two years ago and has stuck around, with 469 cases in China alone since 2013, and 170 deaths. Chinese health officials say 15 new cases have been reported since just the beginning of this year.
Scientists say it is a definite possibility that the virus could expand and affect populations in other regions.
“The expansion of genetic diversity and geographical spread indicates that, unless effective control measures are in place, H7N9 could be expected to persist and spread beyond the region,” researchers wrote in a study published in the science journal Nature.
Health authorities say that while cases of H7N9 went down after Chinese authorities closed live poultry markets and issued warnings about direct contact with chickens, they found that the virus has been mutating frequently, making it harder to control.
Researchers advise that while they study ways to curb its spread, strict preventive measures should be taken.
“Permanent closure of live poultry markets, central slaughtering and preventing inter-regional poultry transportation during disease outbreaks are needed to reduce the threat of H7N9 to public health," they wrote in Nature.
