Archive - Hong Kong PRC SAR, pandemic influenza, information update, news (January to March 2010)

[tetano]

Re: Flu outbreaks close Wan Chai primary school

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Health chiefs have closed a primary school after an outbreak of flu struck 35 students, with one needing hospital treatment.

Raimondi College Primary Section in Wan Chai - the second school to be affected this year - will be closed from today for a week.

The health department said 35 boys and five girls, aged between six and 11, had developed influenza-like symptoms since February 26 and that one student had to be hospitalized.

The student was later discharged and the others were said to be stable at home.

Laboratory tests confirmed the student who needed a hospital stay tested positive for influenza B and one of his schoolmates for H1N1.

In January, a school in Sham Shui Po was closed after four students, aged between seven and 15, and one worker came down with flu symptoms.

The department said health officials had visited Raimondi College and advised staff on infection control measures. The school has also been put under medical surveillance.

The department last night advised all parents to pay attention to the health of their children, and to remind them to observe good personal and environmental hygiene practices.

Chinese University respiratory health professor David Hui Shu-cheong said the second wave of an expected H1N1 outbreak has yet to arrive and that influenza B is now the predominant strain. He described the cases as "sporadic" and did not suggest a significant rise.

Hui agreed with the department's decision to close Raimondi College as a precautionary measure.

The professor said the flu virus is normally more active in cold and wet weather.

But he warned there could be a summer peak between May and July.

The city was hit by an H1N1 outbreak last year, forcing the closure of all schools across the territory.

In November, Director of Health Lam Ping-yan told legislators about 50 schools had suspended classes between September 1 and October 4 last year due to the influenza outbreak.

The scare prompted the government to launch an H1N1 vaccine program in December for the high risk groups.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=95873&sid=27429038&con_type=1

[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: Legislative Council Questions: Human Swine Influenza Vaccination Programme (3/17/10)

Hong Kong: Legislative Council Questions: Human Swine Influenza Vaccination Programme (3/17/10)

[Source: Government of Hong Kong PRC SAR, View Original Article. Edited.]

Following is a question by the Hon Audrey Eu and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Gabriel Leung, in the Legislative Council today (March 17):

Question:
The Government earlier spent $237 million to purchase three million doses of Human Swine Influenza (HSI) vaccine, of which only about 180,000 doses have been administered as at March 1. Moreover, it has been reported that the World Health Organisation has formed a preliminary view earlier that the HSI outbreak had passed its worst stage, and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection has also admitted that the progress of HSI vaccination in Hong Kong is unsatisfactory and a large surplus of vaccines is expected. It has also been reported that at present, many European and American countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, etc have one after another requested pharmaceutical manufacturers to reduce the supply of such vaccines, or have sold the surplus vaccines to other countries in need.

In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the existing stock of vaccines and their total value, and how the authorities plan to dispose of the vaccines, so as to ensure the optimal use of public funds;
(b) whether it has assessed the public's acceptance level of the vaccination, so as to estimate the ultimate amount of surplus vaccines, and whether it has followed the practice of some European and American countries with a view to disposing of the surplus vaccines properly; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(c) whether the authorities have learnt their lesson from this exercise of vaccine procurement, so as to improve the policy on vaccine procurement in the future; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:
President, The Government has launched the Human Swine Influenza (HSI) Vaccination Programme since December 21, 2009 with the primary objective of reducing the chance of complications, hospitalisation and deaths among high-risk people after they have been infected with the disease. To implement the HSI Vaccination Programme, we procured three million doses of HSI vaccine at the cost of $79 per dose in accordance with established tender procedures. Among the vaccines procured, 2.5 million doses are intended for five target groups who are at higher risk, namely chronic patients and pregnant women, children aged between six months and less than six years, elderly aged 65 and above, healthcare workers and pig farmers and pig-slaughtering industry personnel. At the same time, the Government has reserved 500,000 doses of HSI vaccine for those who do not belong to these target groups but who wish to get vaccinated so that they may seek vaccination in private clinics at their own cost. Our decision to procure the HSI vaccines was made on the basis that we had to prepare for the most conservative scenario in the development of the pandemic. We have foreseen that some of the vaccines may be left unused if the pandemic eventually turns out to be not severe.

I want to emphasise that the Government's procurement of the vaccines is intended as a necessary insurance to safeguard public health in case there is a serious outbreak in Hong Kong. To safeguard public health, we need to purchase enough vaccines to protect the more vulnerable groups in the population against HSI and its complications. Since the end of last year, the Department of Health has been publicising the HSI Vaccination Programme through a series of publicity activities, such as distribution of leaflets and broadcasting of announcements of public interest on TV and radio. We have also clearly explained to the public the potential risks of vaccination and provided them with timely update on such information as the latest development of pandemic both locally and worldwide, and the adverse events with history of HSI vaccination. Such efforts are aimed at ensuring information transparency and providing the public with adequate information for their consideration so that they can decide whether to get vaccinated.

The ultimate decision to get vaccinated rests with members of the public. Vaccination is voluntary under the entire HSI Vaccination Programme. The actual vaccination rate can be affected by a number of factors, including changes in the pandemic, the number of severe and fatal cases, and the public's understanding as to the safety of the vaccine, etc. Although we have received reports of two confirmed cases of patients developing Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) with history of HSI vaccination since the HSI Vaccination Programme was launched, the Expert Group on Serious Adverse Events following Human Swine Influenza Vaccination under the Centre for Health Protection has pointed out after having studied these cases that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has to date found no evidence suggesting a causal relationship between GBS and HSI vaccination and the reported number of GBS cases worldwide has not exceeded the usual background rates prior to the introduction of such vaccines.

As a matter of fact, according to HSI vaccination data from around the world, the safety of HSI vaccine has been confirmed and its side effects are on the whole relatively mild. For those high-risk groups recommended for vaccination by the scientific committees in particular, the benefits of protection they will get from HSI vaccination will outweigh any possible adverse vaccine effect.

Up to March 14, 2010 since the HSI Vaccination Programme was launched, more than 185, 000 doses of HSI vaccine have been administered to the target groups. Currently, there are roughly 2.75 million doses of HSI vaccines in stock. Maintaining this stockpile of vaccines is considered crucial in the coming few months as it can provide an assurance for public health protection and ensure the availability of sufficient vaccines for use once the pandemic has worsened. Under such circumstances, we do not have any plan to donate or sell the vaccines to other places at this stage. In fact, vaccination is only one of the preventive and control measures we have launched. At the same time, we have enhanced our virus surveillance in the community especially at schools and residential care homes, continued to implement public health measures at boundary control points, actively promoting protective measures at individual and community levels, use of antiviral drugs, and have made necessary preparations and contingency planning for treatment.

All these measures are aimed at reducing the incidence rate, chance of hospitalisation and mortality rate of HSI infections, and the overall impact to Hong Kong.

President, as at March 14, 2010, there were 73 HSI fatal cases and 262 severe cases of HSI infection, and 179 patients were admitted into the intensive care unit. It is still unpredictable whether the constant mutation of the virus will result in a more severe pandemic or whether there will be a second or a third wave of HSI pandemic. As such, we must stay vigilant. The Government will continue to closely monitor the development of the pandemic in Hong Kong and other places in the world as well as the vaccination coverage to ensure that our preventive and control measures can achieve the best result.
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[tetano]

Swine flu vaccine stock to stay

Acting Secretary for Food & Health Professor Gabriel Leung says the Government has no plan to donate or sell the human swine flu vaccine it has in stock.



He told lawmakers today the vaccines were procured to prepare for the most conservative scenario, and the Government has foreseen some of them may be unused if the pandemic is not severe.



Up to March 14 more than 185,000 doses had been administered to the target groups since the vaccination programme launched on December 21. There are 2.75 million doses of vaccine in stock.



"Maintaining this stockpile of vaccines is considered crucial in the coming few months as it can provide an assurance for public health protection and ensure the availability of sufficient vaccines for use once the pandemic has worsened," Prof Leung said.



Noting vaccination is voluntary under the programme, he said the actual vaccination rate can be affected by factors including changes in the pandemic, the number of severe and fatal cases, and the public's understanding as to the safety of the vaccine.



The World Health Organisation has to date found no evidence suggesting a causal relationship between Guillain-Barre Syndrome and swine flu vaccination, and the reported case number of this disease worldwide has not exceeded the usual background rates prior to the introduction of such vaccines.



"According to [swine flu] vaccination data from around the world, the safety of [the] vaccine has been confirmed and its side effects are on the whole relatively mild. For those high-risk groups recommended for vaccination by the scientific committees in particular, the benefits of protection they will get from vaccination will outweigh any possible adverse vaccine effect," Prof Leung said, adding it is still unpredictable whether the constant virus mutation will result in a more severe pandemic or whether there will be a second or a third wave of pandemic.

http://news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/100317/html/100317en05002.htm

[tetano]

Hong Kong: Rise in flu cases sets peak poser

More flu cases were reported in the past three weeks, with human swine flu (H1N1) and seasonal flu each accounting for half of them.

But health experts said it is too early to say whether the territory is at the peak of the flu season.

Workers at Raimondi College Primary Section, Wan Chai, which was closed yesterday for a week, cleaned classrooms and other areas after 40 students aged 6 to 11 developed flu.

There were seasonal flu B and human swine flu cases among them.

At the Legislative Council yesterday, acting health secretary Gabriel Leung said there is still a stock of 2.75 million swine flu jabs, but was unable to say whether there will be a second or third wave of outbreaks.


But some lawmakers criticized the government for overreacting to the flu situation and wasting money by ordering too much vaccine.

According to Centre for Health Protection, 877 cases of flu were recorded between February 28 and March 6, compared to 704 between February 21-27, and 410 between February 14-20.

Pediatrician Wilson Fung Yee-leung said he has seen three times more patients with flu symptoms in the past two weeks than in the same period last year and their symptoms were more severe.

Microbiologist Ho Pak-leung of the University of Hong Kong also said he is aware of the rise and expects to see more cases in the coming weeks.

But Ho said it is too early to say whether the SAR is at a flu peak as the consultation rate at private clinics and hospital stays are not that high.

"We also need to ask how many of those who have come down with flu have received the jab."

Based on the latest laboratory test results of the viruses, influenza B and swine flu account for an equal number of cases.

The dominant Influenza B strains are Victoria and Yamagata.

Ho said the vaccines for the Brisbane strain used in Hong Kong will also help protect from the Victoria strain.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=95941&sid=27440046&con_type=1

[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong has entered traditional peak season for seasonal influenza (3/18/10): 49% H1N1pdm, 50% influenza B among positive samples.

Hong Kong has entered traditional peak season for seasonal influenza (3/18/10)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, View Original Article. Edited.]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 18) called on members of the public to take precautionary measures against seasonal influenza, which consists mainly of human swine influenza and influenza B.

A CHP spokesman said that the latest surveillance data showed an increasing number of influenza isolates, which signals that Hong Kong has entered the traditional peak season for seasonal influenza.

Influenza virus isolation in the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Centre (PHLC) showed a steady rise.

A total of 268 influenza detections were recorded last week (from March 7 to 13) as compared with 177 influenza detections from February 28 to March 6.

Virus isolates are mainly either human swine influenza (49%) or influenza B (50%). There has been an increase in reports of influenza-like-illness (ILI) outbreaks in institutions, from 24 in the week ending March 13 to 31 in the past five days (March 14 - 18). The consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors has also increased in the past few weeks.

During the week ending March 13, the consultation rate for ILI at private clinics was 51 per 1,000 consultations. At the same time, CHP's surveillance system also showed high seasonal activity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The number of RSV detections in the week ending March 13 was 134. The figure is consistent with the trend recorded in the past few years.

The spokesman said, "As a preventive measure, the CHP has sent letters to doctors, schools and institutions alerting them to the upcoming flu season and providing advice on prevention and control.

"The CHP will send letters again reminding them to be vigilant against respiratory infection. The influenza situation will be closely monitored as the flu season progresses."

Members of the public are reminded 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 their doctors promptly if they develop influenza-like symptoms.
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[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: HA weekly statistics of Designated Flu Clinics and admitted human swine influenza patients (3/18/10)

Hong Kong: HA weekly statistics of Designated Flu Clinics and admitted human swine influenza patients (3/18/10)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, View Original Article. Edited.]

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

Regarding the services of the eight Designated Flu Clinics (DFCs) and the confirmed human swine influenza patients admitted to public hospitals, the Hospital Authority (HA) today (March 18) provided the following wrap up of the past week:

In the past week (March 11 to 17), a total of 1,111 patients with flu-like symptoms attended the DFCs.

Among all confirmed human swine influenza patients, 50 confirmed patients are now staying in public hospitals for treatment, with 41 in stable condition, four in serious and five in critical condition.

Furthermore, the newly confirmed cases in the past week included eight staff members of public hospitals (one male and seven female, including two nurses, two allied health professionals, two supporting staff and two administrative/clerical staff).

So far there were 1,382 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza.

Among them, 1,380 have already recovered and returned to work.

The HA spokesman reminded members of the public that the eight DFCs run a half-day service from 9am to 1pm during weekends and public holidays, while full-day service (9am to 5pm) is maintained from Mondays to Fridays.
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[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: A critical case of human swine influenza at Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospital (3/18/10)

Hong Kong: A critical case of human swine influenza at Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospital (3/18/10)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, View Original Article. Edited.]

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson of Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospital (RHTSK) today (March 18) announced a new critical case of human swine influenza (HSI):

A 51-year-old male patient with good past health attended the Accident and Emergency Department of RHTSK on March 16 due to flu symptoms.

He was admitted to Respiratory Medical Ward on the same day and transferred to Intensive Care Unit on the following day.

Test was confirmed positive to HSI today.

Tamiflu and antibiotic were prescribed to the patient and he is now in critical condition requiring ventilation support.

The hospital will continue to closely monitor his condition.
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[tetano]

Re: Hong Kong: A critical case of human swine influenza at Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospital (3/18/10)

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson of United Christian Hospital (UCH) today (March 19) announced a new critical case of human swine influenza (HSI): A 43-year-old male patient with good past health attended the Accident and Emergency Department of UCH on March 18 due to persistent flu symptoms over one week. He was directly admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment due to severe pneumonia and was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. His test for HSI was confirmed as positive today (March 19).

He is in critical condition and requires ventilatory support. The hospital will continue to closely monitor his condition.

Source: HKSAR Government

http://7thspace.com/headlines/338767/a_critical_case_of_human_swine_influenza_at_united_christian_hospital.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%207thspace%20%287thSpace%20Interactive%29

[Pathfinder]

Hong Kong: Cluster of human Metapneumovirus cases in male psychogeriatric ward in Castle Peak Hospital

Hong Kong: Cluster of human Metapneumovirus cases in male psychogeriatric ward in Castle Peak Hospital

by editor on <ABBR class=published title=2010-03-19>March 19, 2010</ABBR>
in Indian Press Release, Web News Wire

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Castle Peak Hospital (CPH) made the following announcement today (March 19):

Five patients (aged from 71 to 79) in a male psychogeriatric ward of CPH have presented with respiratory symptoms since March 14. Appropriate tests were arranged for the patients. All the test results were positive for human Metapneumovirus. The patients are being treated under isolation and all are in stable condition.

Admission to the ward has been suspended. Restricted visits to and discharge from the ward have been imposed. Infection control measures in the ward concerned have already been stepped up. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.

The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow up.

http://aggregator.in/2010/hong-kong-cluster-of-human-metapneumovirus-cases-in-male-psychogeriatric-ward-in-castle-peak-hospital-18132/

[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: Man, 43 years old dies of A/H1N1 - healthy - no preexisting conditions

Hong Kong: A fatal case of human swine influenza patient at United Christian Hospital (3/20/10)

[Source: Hospital Authority, Hong Kong PRC SAR, View Original Article. Edited.]

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson of United Christian Hospital (UCH) made the following announcement today (March 20) regarding the fatal of a human swine influenza (HSI) patient:

A 43-year-old male patient with good past health attended the Accident and Emergency Department of UCH on March 18 due to persistent flu symptoms over one week. He was directly admitted to Intensive Care Unit for further treatment due to severe pneumonia. He was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics and required ventilatory support. The test result for HSI was confirmed positive on March 19. The patient's condition remained critical and succumbed at 11.31pm last night. The hospital would like to express condolences to the patient's family.

The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection.
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[sharon sanders]

Re: Hong Kong: Man, 43 years old dies of A/H1N1 - healthy - no preexisting conditions

No long-term ill middle-aged man died of new influenza infected

2010-03-20

2010-03-20

一名健康紀錄良好的壯年男子感染新型流感後死亡，有專家指香港爆發新型流感後這類個案顯著增加，情況令人關 注。

A good health record new influenza infection in young men died, some experts that a new influenza outbreak in Hong Kong after the significant increase in such cases, the situation is cause for concern.

食物及衛生局表示，本港已進入季節性流感高峰期，呼籲市民做好防護措施。

Food and Health Bureau said that Hong Kong has entered the seasonal influenza peak period, appealed to the public good protective measures.

最 新感染新型流感後死亡的男子只有四十三歲，無任何長期病患，他過去一星期持續出現流感徵狀，星期四到聯合醫 院急症室求診，當時他已出現嚴重肺炎，需入住深 切治療部，期間要用儀器幫助呼吸，而醫生亦處方特敏福及抗生素，但他情況一直危殆，並於星期五確診感染甲型 H1N1流感，當晚大約十一時半不治。

Latest new influenza infection in a man died after only 43 years old, without any long-term illness, he continued to appear over the past week flu symptoms on Thursday, Accident and Emergency Department of United Christian Hospital for treatment, when he was at a severe pneumonia, are required to reside deep therapy department, during use instruments to assist breathing, the doctor will prescribe Tamiflu and antibiotics, but he had been in critical condition, and on Friday confirmed infected with influenza A H1N1 influenza, died that night around 11:30.

病 毒專家表示，根據過去十年紀錄，壯年感染流感後的死亡率接近零，但香港出現新型流感後就有超過十宗完全健康 的人感染流感後死亡個案，情況令人關注：「流感 如果青年人或者中年人本身健康，感染了大部分都會自然康復，一般來說，發燒和呼吸道徵狀過了五天至七天慢慢 會好轉，病人有嚴重肺炎，解剖發覺肺組織有壞 死，肺部器官出現衰竭，部分病人肺內的血管有血塊，出現栓塞的情況，如果肺血管栓塞加上肺部壞死，所以病人 因為呼吸衰竭而不幸死亡。」

Virus experts said that according to records of the past decade, the mortality rate of influenza infection in the prime of life close to zero, but Hong Kong after the emergence of new types of influenza have more than 10 fully healthy after the fatal cases of human infection with influenza, the situation is cause for concern: "flu if the youth middle-aged people or their health will be naturally infected with most of the rehabilitation, in general, fever and respiratory symptoms after a 5-7 days it will slowly improve, patients with severe pneumonia, autopsy found that there is necrosis of lung tissue, lung Ministry of organ failure occurs, some patients have pulmonary vascular blood clot embolization occurred, and if pulmonary vascular thrombosis with necrosis of the lungs, so the patient died due to respiratory failure. "

食物及衞生局就表示，香港每年這個時間都是各類流感的高峰期，市民現時感染新型流感與乙型流感比率差不多一 半一半，預計數星期內流感個案會繼續增加，呼籲市民做好個人防護措施。

Food and Health Bureau said that Hong Kong every year around this time are different types of influenza peak period, the public is a new influenza and influenza B infection rate almost half and half, is expected within a few weeks of influenza cases will continue to increase, urged the public to do a good job of personal protective measures

http://www.hkatvnews.com/v3/share_out/_content/2010/03/20/atvnews_138341.html

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong: Man, 43 years old dies of A/H1N1 - healthy - no preexisting conditions

It's not really an exceptional event this unfortunate death of an otherwise health adult in Hong Kong PRC SAR.

It's a year that pandemic influenza virus H1N1 2009 circulate around the world causing a disproportionate number of fatalities among young adults, even among healthier individuals.

Into literature, description of severe primary viral pneumonitis were provived by various pool of experts from different countries, and unusual features such as thrombosis and emboli were also reported.

Hong Kong seems to be in the midst of a new wave of influenza infections, caused both by influenza type B and pandemic H1N1 strain.

Vaccination coverage is strikingly very low.

For more information I invite readers to do refer to the last WHO epidemiological report (#92 plus virological surveillance bulletin) as well as Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection weekly summary.

Above mentioned documents are also available at H1N1 swine flu information here at FT.

[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: Critical case of human swine influenza in Kwong Wah Hospital (3/22/10): 19 years-old, male, with good past health

Hong Kong: Critical case of human swine influenza in Kwong Wah Hospital (3/22/10)

[Source: Hospital Authority, Hong Kong PRC SAR, View Original Article. Edited.]

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) spokesman today (March 22) announced a new critical case of human swine influenza (HSI):

A 19-year-old male patient with good past health had developed flu symptoms since March 15 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of the KWH on March 18.

The patient was admitted to the isolation ward for treatment.

His test result for human swine influenza was confirmed positive on March 20 and he was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics.

The patient's condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for further care the next day (March 21).

He is now in critical condition requiring mechanical ventilation. The hospital will closely monitor his condition.
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[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: Hospital Authority announces two critical cases of human swine influenza (3/24/10)

Hong Kong: Hospital Authority announces two critical cases of human swine influenza (3/24/10)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, View Original Article. Edited.]

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority today (March 24) announced two new critical cases of human swine influenza (HSI):

A 67-year-old male patient with diabetes and heart failure attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on March 22 due to flu symptoms.

The patient was tested positive for HSI yesterday (March 23) and was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics.

His condition deteriorated today.

He was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment and required ventilatory support.

Furthermore, a 82-year-old male patient with chronic obstructive airway disease was admitted to North District Hospital (NDH) via Accident and Emergency Department due to shortness of breath and cough on March 15.

Positive result of HSI was confirmed on the same day.

He was prescribed Tamiflu and antibiotics and was transferred to the isolation ward for further treatment.

The patient is now in critical condition requiring ventilation support.

The hospitals are closely monitoring the patients' condition.
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[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: HA weekly statistics of Designated Flu Clinics and admitted human swine influenza patients (3/25/10)

Hong Kong: HA weekly statistics of Designated Flu Clinics and admitted human swine influenza patients (3/25/10)

[Source: Hong Kong PRC SAR, <cite cite="http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201003/25/P201003250187.htm">HA weekly statistics of Designated Flu Clinics and admitted human swine influenza patients</cite>. Edited.]

HA weekly statistics of Designated Flu Clinics and admitted human swine influenza patients

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

Regarding the services of the eight Designated Flu Clinics (DFCs) and the confirmed human swine influenza patients admitted to public hospitals, the Hospital Authority (HA) today (March 25) provided the following wrap up of the past week:

In the past week (March 18 to 24), a total of 1,563 patients with flu-like symptoms attended the DFCs.

Among all confirmed human swine influenza patients, 44 confirmed patients are now staying in public hospitals for treatment, with 36 in stable condition, two in serious and six in critical condition.

Furthermore, the newly confirmed cases in the past week included 10 staff members of public hospitals, (three male and seven female, including five nurses, two allied health professionals and three supporting staff). So far there were 1,392 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 1,391 have already recovered and returned to work.

The HA spokesman reminded members of the public that the eight DFCs run a half-day service from 9am to 1pm during weekends and public holidays, while full-day service (9am to 5pm) is maintained from Mondays to Fridays.

Ends/Thursday, March 25, 2010Issued at HKT 18:40
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