CDC to Prepare Vaccine for A(H7N9) Bird Flu Strain Just in Case

Posted on April 4, 2013

The World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been monitoring an outbreak of avian influenza A (H7N9) in China. The cases are the first time the virus has been detected in humans. There have been 11 lab-confirmed cases and four deaths according to the last WHO update. The first cases were announced on April 1st.

So far, there have been no cases involving human-to-human spread of the bird flu. WHO says people in close contact with the infected are being closely monitored, but none have developed any symptoms to date.

NBC reports that the CDC has announced plans to start working on a A(H7N9) vaccine just in case it is needed.

The CDC has a webpage about the virus here.