Via Emerging Infectious Diseases: Ahead of Print -Westward Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus among Humans, China. The conclusions:
We report emerging HPAI H7N9 variants in Shaanxi Province, western China. Our phylogenetic analyses support that the LPAI H7N9 viruses in Shaanxi Province originated from eastern and southern China, and the Shaanxi HPAI H7N9 isolates probably originated in Guangdong Province and were transmitted either directly or indirectly through other provinces.
Our results provide evidence that H7N9 viruses infecting humans in Shaanxi province derived, directly or indirectly, from strains circulating in local farms and LPMs[live poultry markets]. Previous studies suggest that poultry trade between LPMs may play a key role in spreading H7N9 viruses. Similarly, we hypothesize that live poultry or poultry product transport may facilitate the spread of HPAI H7N9 viruses out of Guangdong Province and within Shaanxi Province.
