Thursday, March 4, 2010

Hong Kong: Vigilance against seasonal influenza urged

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 4) called on members of the public to take precautionary measures against seasonal influenza. A CHP spokesman said the centre had been closely monitoring influenza activity. The latest surveillance data showed an apparent increase in seasonal influenza activity in the community.

The average consultation rate for influenza-like-illness (ILI) among sentinel private doctors rose from 42.8 per 1,000 consultations in the week ending February 20 to 55.1 in the week ending February 27. In the same period, the number of patients with fever/respiratory symptoms attending Designated Flu Clinics also increased from 410 to 704. The CHP recorded 28 ILI outbreaks in institutions affecting at least 154 persons in the first five days (February 28 - March 4) of the current week.

Influenza virus isolation in the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Centre (PHLC) also indicated a rise, the spokesman said. The PHLC recorded 85 influenza detections last week (February 21 to 27) compared with 44 influenza detections from February 14 to 20. Among the 85 influenza viruses isolated last week, the majority were influenza B virus (63.5%) while human swine influenza (HSI) virus accounted for 22.4% and influenza A (H3N2) virus about 1% of all isolates.

The currently used seasonal influenza vaccine for the 2009-2010 northern hemisphere influenza season is expected to confer certain cross protection against this influenza B virus. The winter influenza season in Hong Kong usually occurs during February and March. "More data over the coming one to two weeks will be needed to show more definitively that Hong Kong is entering the winter influenza season.

We will closely monitor the situation," the spokesman said. He added that as a preventive measure, the CHP will send letters to doctors, schools and institutions alerting them to the current influenza situation and provide advice on prevention and control. The spokesman reminded members of the public to take the following measures to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses: *Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking; *Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene; *Wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose; *Maintain good ventilation; and *Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.

People, particularly young children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult doctors for medical advice promptly if they develop influenza-like symptoms.

Source: HKSAR Government
hat-tip Tetano

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