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Chinese Avian Flu

[brianpeart]

Just thought you might be interested in World Health Organisation's thoughts on naming the virus.

 

After broad consultations with experts from FAO, OIE and WHO, a
consensus has been reached on the naming of the influenza A(H7N9)
virus recently detected in China. The below approach is adopted and
will be used in the 3 organizations' communications.

- The core term is "avian influenza A(H7N9) virus," which will be used
for scientific / technical or other reports.

- The core term will be used but can be further modified according to
specific circumstances. For example:

* "human infection (or disease) caused by the avian influenza A(H7N9)
virus"
* "chicken infection (or disease) caused by the avian influenza
A(H7N9) virus"
* "swine infection (or disease) caused by the avian influenza A(H7N9)
virus" if detected in swine.

- For media communications, especially recognizing that social media
such as Twitter will gravitate towards the use of the shortest
possible terms, it is suggested that terms such as "H7N9" and "H7N9
virus" be used as surrogates as needed.