Hong Kong, an imported case of H7N9 human infection confirmed (RTHK, April 4 2014, edited)

[Giuseppe]

Source: RTHK, full page in Chinese: http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/expressnews..._55_997353.htm - Automatic translation.

Hong Kong, an imported case of H7N9 human infection confirmed

2014-04-04 HKT 21:43


Centre for Health Protection is investigating a case of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza cases from imported, involving a 65-year-old man living alone in Longgang, Shenzhen, Hong Kong.

He has a chronic illness, appeared Monday in Shenzhen fever, cough, bloody sputum and diarrhea symptoms, symptoms persist, yesterday afternoon to Hong Kong via Lo Wu Control Point, then was found to have a fever and sore throat, directly by ambulance sent to North District Hospital emergency room, on the same day hospitalization. His sputum samples after testing, the evening proved to be positive for H7N9 virus.

Patients treated in isolation at Princess Margaret Hospital in stable condition. Preliminary epidemiological survey, the patient has recently had a wet market nearby Shenzhen residence, buying pigeons slaughtered, has not identified close contacts, which is Hong Kong's first confirmed case of H7N9 human infection 8.

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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, an imported case of H7N9 human infection confirmed (RTHK, April 4 2014, edited)

Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full page: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/2...1404040878.htm

Imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) under CHP investigation

<!-- Summary container all summary markers are relative to this container: do not change the id (3) --> The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 4) investigating an imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) affecting a man aged 65.

The patient, with underlying illnesses, lives in Longgang, Shenzhen alone.

He developed fever, cough, blood-stained sputum and diarrhoea on March 31 in Shenzhen.

His symptoms persisted and he was found to have fever and sore throat upon arrival in Hong Kong at Lo Wu Control Point on April 3 afternoon.

He was directly transferred to the Accident and Emergency Department of North District Hospital (NDH) by ambulance and was admitted for management on the same day.

The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia.

His sputum specimen was tested positive for avian influenza A(H7N9) virus upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch this evening.

The patient is currently isolated in Princess Margaret Hospital under treatment in stable condition.

Initial epidemiological investigation revealed that he had recently bought slaughtered pigeons from a wet market near his residence in Shenzhen.

The CHP's investigations and contact tracing are ongoing.

So far, there are no close contacts identified while other contacts including relevant healthcare workers, ambulance staff, and officers at Lo Wu Control Point will be traced for exposure assessment and medical surveillance.

"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 CHP remarked.

This is the eighth 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 Macau.

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 locally and in the Mainland, further cases are expected in affected and possibly neighbouring areas. 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, 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 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 has received 210 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 and 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.


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[Shiloh]

Re: Hong Kong, an imported case of H7N9 human infection confirmed (RTHK, April 4 2014, edited)

Source: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/a...ealth-minister


Man rushed to hospital from border has H7N9
PUBLISHED : Friday, 04 April, 2014, 7:11pm
UPDATED : Saturday, 05 April, 2014, 3:55am



A 65-year-old man who crossed into the city from the mainland has been confirmed to have the potentially fatal H7N9 bird flu virus - taking the number of cases in Hong Kong to eight, all of them contracted across the border.

It comes just hours after Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man said that an H7N9 vaccine developed in Hong Kong may be available to high-risk groups before the year is out.

The man in the latest case fell ill in Shenzhen on Monday with a fever and diarrhoea and was coughing up blood. He arrived in Hong Kong via Lo Wu control point on Thursday and was taken by ambulance to the accident and emergency department of North District Hospital in Sheung Shui.

The man, who has underlying illnesses, lives alone in Shenzhen's Longgang district, but it was reported that he may originally be from Hong Kong. Last night he was in stable condition in isolation at Princess Margaret Hospital, Kwai Chung. He was said to have recently bought freshly slaughtered pigeons from a wet market near his home...