Identifying areas with a high risk of human infection with the avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in East Asia.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The rapid emergence, spread, and disease severity of avian influenza A (H7N9) in China has prompted concerns about a possible pandemic and regional spread in the coming months. The objective of this study was to predict the risk of future human infections with H7N9 in China and neighboring countries by assessing the association between H7N9 cases at sentinel hospitals and putative agricultural, climatic, and demographic risk factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used the locations of H7N9 cases and negative cases from China's influenza-like illness surveillance network. After identifying H7N9 risk factors with logistic regression, we used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to construct predictive maps of H7N9 risk across Asia.

Results

Live bird mark

SUBMITTER: Fuller T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4077931 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature