The number of confirmed H7N9 bird flu cases in China increased by five to 87 today. Shanghai, Henan province and Jiangsu province each reported one new case, and Zhejiang province reported two, the official Xinhua news agency reported this evening. The number of dead was unchanged at 17.
Authorities haven’t confirmed any human-to-human transmission. However, the government-controlled Beijing Daily reported this week that 40% of those sick have had no contact with poultry, and state media has said it can’t be ruled out.
Beijing and major eastern Chinese cities have closed live poultry markets and are taking other precautions to limit the spread of the new virus. Chinese media today estimated that the poultry industry has suffered 17 billion yuan, or $2.7 billion in losses. Shares in Yum!, which has relied on China for much of its growth through its KFC chain, lost 0.6% yesterday and was down more than 1% in New York this morning. The company said earlier this month KFC same-store sales in China fell by 16% at a time when nervous consumers have shunned chicken, despite government advice that cooked meat is safe.
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