[editing is mine]
February 12, 2014
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health
(DH) is today (February 12) investigating an imported human case of
avian influenza A(H7N9) in Hong Kong affecting a man aged 65.
The patient, with underlying medical conditions, lives in Sha
Tin. He has developed fever and cough since February 8 and consulted a
private medical practitioner on February 9. He was admitted to Kwong Wah
Hospital (KWH) yesterday (February 11) for persistent illness and was
then transferred to isolation ward for further management. He is now in
critical condition.
His nasopharyngeal aspirate was positive for avian influenza
A(H7N9) virus upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health
Laboratory Services Branch.
Preliminary epidemiological investigations by the CHP revealed
that, the patient had travelled to Kaiping, Guangdong from January 24 to
February 9 and had stayed in his local residence. Information so far
indicated that his family had bought a slaughtered chicken from a
village in Kaiping on January 29.
The patient's seven family members in Hong Kong have remained
asymptomatic and five of them (classified as close contacts) will be
admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for observation and testing.
Further investigations into his travel and exposure histories
are ongoing, in parallel with tracing of other contacts of the patient,
including the doctor and patients of the private clinic which the
patient attended, patients who stayed in the same room with the patient
in KWH, and relevant visitors and healthcare workers of KWH, who will be
put under medical surveillance.
The CHP will liaise with relevant Mainland health authority to
follow-up the patient's contacts during his stay in the Mainland.
"The Serious Response Level under the Government's Preparedness
Plan for Influenza Pandemic remains activated and the CHP's follow-up
actions are in full swing," a spokesman for the DH remarked.
This is the fifth confirmed human case of avian influenza
A(H7N9) in Hong Kong. The CHP will notify the World Health Organization
(WHO), the National Health and Family Planning Commission as well as
health and quarantine authorities of Guangdong and Macao.
Locally, enhanced surveillance of suspected cases in public and
private hospitals is underway. The CHP will continue to maintain liaison
with the WHO, the Mainland and overseas health authorities to monitor
the latest developments. Local surveillance activities will be modified
upon the WHO's recommendations.
"In view of human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) confirmed in
Hong Kong and multiple cases notified by the Mainland, the activity of
the virus is expected to be higher in the winter season. Those planning
to travel outside Hong Kong should maintain good personal, environmental
and food hygiene at all times," the spokesman urged.
"All boundary control points have implemented disease prevention
and control measures. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body
temperature checks of inbound travellers. Random temperature checks by
handheld devices have also been arranged. Suspected cases will be
immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up investigation,"
the spokesman added.
Regarding health education for travellers, distribution of
pamphlets, display of posters in departure and arrival halls, in-flight
public announcements, environmental health inspection and provision of
regular updates to the travel industry via meetings and correspondence
are all proceeding.
The spokesman advised travellers, especially those returning
from avian influenza-affected areas and provinces with fever or
respiratory symptoms, to immediately wear masks, seek medical attention
and reveal their travel history to doctors. Healthcare professionals
should pay special attention to patients who might have had contact with
poultry, birds or their droppings in affected areas and provinces.
"We have enhanced publicity and health education to reinforce
health advice on the prevention of avian influenza," the spokesman said.
As of 4pm today, the CHP's hotline (2125 1111) for public
enquiries have received 172 calls since the first confirmed human case
of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Hong Kong.
Members of the public should remain vigilant and take heed of the preventive advice against avian influenza below:
* Do not visit live poultry markets and farms. Avoid contact with
poultry, birds and their droppings. If contact has been made, thoroughly
wash hands with soap;
* Avoid entering areas where poultry may be slaughtered, or contact
with surfaces which might be contaminated by droppings of poultry or
other animals;
* Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating;
* Wash hands frequently with soap, especially before touching the
mouth, nose or eyes, handling food or eating; after going to the toilet
or touching public installations or equipment (including escalator
handrails, elevator control panels and door knobs); or when hands are
dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
* Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with a tissue and put it into a covered dustbin;
* Avoid crowded places and contact with fever patients; and
* Wear masks when respiratory symptoms develop or when taking care of fever patients.
The public may visit the CHP's avian influenza page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/24244.html) and website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/global_statistics_avian_influenza_e.pdf) for more information on avian influenza-affected areas and provinces.
http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/33408.html
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