In a March 19^th posting on ProMED, the Center for Health Protection for Hong Kong reported on three cases of H9N2 avian influenza diagnosed on the Mainland.  The patients were all children ranging in age from 3 to 11 years residing in Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces.

Most H9N2 cases involve contact with live poultry either on small farms or at wet markets.

Cases of H9N2 or other zoonotic strains of avian influenza usually result in temporary closure of wet markets if demonstrated to be the source of infection. Local social and economic pressures result in re-opening within a short duration of time restoring exposure to of infection. It is probable that mild cases of zoonotic avian influenza are not diagnosed especially in rural areas. Authorities in China are reticent to release information on disease and it is considered interesting that the report was released by the Autonomous Region of Hong Kong and not by either the Central or Provincial health agencies.