Factors Associated With Fatality Due to Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Infection in China

Abstract

Death among H7N9 virus-infected patients occurred rapidly after hospital admission, especially among older patients, followed by severe hypoxemia and multisystem organ failure. Our results show that early neuraminidase-inhibitor therapy and reduction of secondary bacterial infections can help reduce mortality.Characterization of 350 hospitalized avian influenza A(H7N9)-infected patients in China shows that age >65 years, secondary bacterial infections, and initiation of neuraminidase-inhibitor therapy after 5 days from symptom onset were associated with increased risk of death.