Good morning and thank you for your attendance today.

During the past days, we received many inquiries from the media on the evolving situation relating to human infection with Influenza A(H7N9) in China. 

This joint media conference today is an opportunity to update you of what we know and what we don’t know, address your questions and clarify misconceptions.

The World Health Organization has been working closely withtheNational Health and Family Planning Commission and other government agencies to monitor the situation. The investigation is ongoing. 

Timely notification and rapid information sharing from national authorities has followed active investigation in the field. 

These recent reports from China are the first cases of human infection with H7N9 viruses. Although we do not yet know the source of infection, at this time there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.

There has been some speculation that there could be a link between the death of thousands of pigs in eastern China, influenza in birds, and the human cases.

However the deaths in pigs in the Huang Pu river may be caused by many factors, and we have not connected the pig deaths to human cases of influenza. Those pigs which have been tested werefound negative for influenza viruses. The clinical syndrome in pigs is not compatible with influenza infection. 

Some of the confirmed cases had contact with animals or with environments in which animals were located. The virus has been found in a pigeon in a market in Shanghai. These events gave possibility of animal-to-human transmission, for which investigations continue.

The family cluster raises the possibility of human-to-human transmission, but two of the cases in that cluster have not been laboratory confirmed and there is no other evidence pointing toward sustained transmission among people.

WHO is in contact with national authorities and is following the event closely. The WHO-coordinated international response is also focusing on work with WHO Collaborating Centres for Reference and Research on Influenza and other partners to ensure that information is available and that materials are developed for diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development.

WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied.

Although both the source of infection and the mode of transmission are uncertain, it is prudent to follow basic hygienic practices to prevent infection.We advise the public to practicegood hygiene to avoid being sick. Washing hands is very basic public health advice to avoid infectious diseases.

It is safe to eat properly cooked meat, including poultry and poultry products. Cook them properly to at least 70^oC. However, do NOT eat animals that have died of diseases or been found dead.

If you visit live markets, or live on a farm, or raise animals for food, such as pigs and poultry, keep your children away from sick and dead animals. Sick or dead animals should not be consumed for food. Report such events to your local authorities.

WHO continues to work closely with national authorities and technical partners to gain a better understanding of this disease in humans. We will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.