Hong Kong reports 1st case of H7N9 bird flu

In this April 11, 2013 file photo, a chicken is kept in a cage waiting to be inspected by health workers in Hong Kong. In May, a Taiwanese woman caught a new strain of bird flu scientists previously thought was incapable of infecting humans. In research published on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, doctors describe the case as another example of the need for better surveillance in the ongoing attempt to spot worrisome flu strains before they ignite a global outbreak. AP

HONG KONG — Hong Kong has reported its first case of the H7N9 bird flu strain, in a possible sign the virus is spreading beyond mainland China since it first emerged there earlier this year.

The southern Chinese financial hub’s health secretary said late Monday that a 36-year-old Indonesian maid is in hospital in critical condition.

He said the maid had a history of traveling across the border to the mainland city of Shenzhen to buy, slaughter and eat chickens.

H7N9 was first identified April. It has sickened 139 people and killed 45 in China and Taiwan.

It appears to have stalled since Chinese authorities cracked down on live animal markets following the initial outbreak.

But scientists fear the virus will re-emerge in the winter, when influenza is most active.