H7N9 bird flu still spreading in China, worrying WHO

Three weeks ago, there were only nine confirmed cases of the new H7N9 bird flu, three of which ended in the death of the infected individual. At the time, there were far more questions than answers about the risk posed by the virus. Since then, testing in China has greatly expanded, and the World Health Organization's (WHO) daily updates have seen a steady flow of new cases diagnosed—typically around five a day. As of the latest update, that flow has brought the total of confirmed cases up to 108, with 22 deaths.

At the moment, the WHO does not recommend any travel restrictions or special screening for the virus. Travel, however, seems to be the source of the first infection outside of China, which was found in a Taiwanese businessman who had recently visited the Chinese city of Suzhou.

Although the total number of infections remains low, a BBC report quotes a WHO member who recently visited China and returned a bit worried. The combination of a relatively high lethality and relatively easy transition from birds to humans makes it "an unusually dangerous virus," according to Dr. Keiji Fukada, who spoke at a WHO press conference. That's not to say, however, that we're on the verge of a new pandemic. So far, there's no clear evidence that the virus can spread among humans. Given the intensity with which it's now being studied, it's likely we'll have a much clearer picture of the threat in the coming weeks.