Disease

Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update

On 3 April 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of two additional laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

Lassa Fever Discovered in US Man

A Minnesota man who recently returned home after visiting West Africa has tested positive for Lassa fever, health officials have confirmed. The man went to a hospital in Minnesota on March 31, complaining of fever and confusion. Blood samples sent to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested positive for Lassa fever on April 3. The man is recovering and is in stable condition, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Lassa fever is a severe viral disease that causes fever and bleeding, and is common in West Africa but rarely seen in the United States. Only seven other cases of Lassa fever cases have been identified in the U.S., with the last one reported in Pennsylvania in 2010, according to the CDC. All cases were likely imported from other countries.