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China - Hong Kong - Girl, 18 months, tested positive for H7N9 - travel history Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong - March 4, 2014

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  • China - Hong Kong - Girl, 18 months, tested positive for H7N9 - travel history Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong - March 4, 2014

    hat tip @influenza_bio

    Imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Hong Kong under CHP investigation
    ************************************************** **********
    The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (March 4) investigating an imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Hong Kong affecting an 18-month-old girl.

    The patient, with good past health, developed mild fever and consulted a private doctor on February 28. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) for febrile convulsion on March 1. She was admitted to isolation ward for treatment after her nasopharyngeal swab tested positive for influenza upon preliminary laboratory testing by QEH on March 2. Her fever subsided completely and she was discharged in stable condition on March 3.

    Her specimen was sent to the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch for routine detection of respiratory viruses on March 3 and tested positive for avian influenza A(H7N9) virus today.

    According to the patient's attending clinician, the patient was initially admitted to QEH for febrile convulsion. She had no signs of pneumonia. There was no known history of suspicious exposure at the time of admission.

    Upon confirmation as avian influenza A(H7N9) today, the patient was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) for isolation and testing. She is now asymptomatic with no fever.

    Initial epidemiological investigations by the CHP revealed that the patient, who lives in To Kwa Wan, had travelled to Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong, from February 5 to 27 during which she was brought to a nearby wet market by her mother on February 24 but they did not buy any poultry. She had stayed in local residence with no known poultry nearby.

    "Further investigations into her travel and exposure histories are ongoing in parallel with contact tracing. Close contacts including relevant household members and patients who had stayed in the same room with the patient in QEH will be admitted for testing and observation, while other contacts including relevant healthcare workers, visitors, immigration staff at Lo Wu, the doctor and patients of the private clinic which the patient consulted on February 28, will all be put under medical surveillance," a spokesman for the CHP explained.

    The CHP will liaise with relevant Mainland health authority to follow up the patient's contacts during her 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," the spokesman said.

    This is the sixth 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 locally and multiple cases notified by 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 have received 191 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 (https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/glo...nfluenza_e.pdf) for more information on avian influenza-affected areas and provinces.
    Ends/Tuesday, March 4, 2014
    Issued at HKT 21:18


  • #2
    Re: China - Hong Kong - Girl, 18 months, tested positive for H7N9 - travel history Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong - March 4, 2014

    [Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full page: (LINK).]


    Epidemiological investigation and follow-up actions by CHP on confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9)


    The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 5) provided an update on the sixth confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) affecting an 18-month-old girl.

    "The epidemiological investigations, enhanced disease surveillance, port health measures and health education against avian influenza are all ongoing," a spokesman for the DH said.

    As of 4pm today, 13 close contacts and 120 other contacts have been identified.

    The close contacts included relevant household members of the patient, and patients and two visitors who had stayed in the same room with the patient in Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

    Among them, two are symptomatic and one of them tested positive for Influenza A (H1) virus while the other tested negative for Influenza A virus.

    For the remaining 11 close contacts, six of them tested negative for Influenza A virus while the results for the others are pending. They are now under quarantine.

    Other contacts included relevant health-care workers, visitors, immigration staff at Lo Wu, and the doctor and patients of the private clinic which the patient consulted on February 28.

    Among them, two are symptomatic and one of them tested negative for Influenza A virus while the result for the other is pending. They are all under medical surveillance.

    "In view of human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) confirmed locally and multiple cases notified by 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. Health-care 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 had received 192 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.


    Ends/Wednesday, March 5, 2014
    Issued at HKT 19:55
    NNNN


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    Comment


    • #3
      Re: China - Hong Kong - Girl, 18 months, tested positive for H7N9 - travel history Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong - March 4, 2014

      [Source: Government of Hong Kong PRC SAR, full page: (LINK).]


      Joint statement by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority


      The following is a joint statement issued by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority:

      A spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 6) said that the Government is very concerned that three close contacts of a confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) who have been put under quarantine in isolation ward of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) left the ward without prior permission from a health officer last night (March 5).

      The three persons was put under quarantine in accordance with section 22 of Cap 599A of the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation until March 13.

      "We are taking the case very seriously and the CHP has reported this incident to the Police," the spokesman stressed.

      "Under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance, a person escapes or attempts to escape from a place of quarantine commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $5,000 and to imprisonment for six months," he added.

      The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesman said that following the quarantine order issued by the DH, QEH admitted the three close contacts in the early morning yesterday (March 5).

      The parents were arranged to stay with their son once their negative laboratory results were available at 2.45pm yesterday. Choices on place to continue their quarantine were offered, including Hospital Authority Infectious Disease Centre and a recreational camp. Eventually, the parents preferred to stay in QEH and indicated the wish to stay together.

      At around 7pm last night, without informing the ward staff, the family of three left their isolation wards, to which they should be confined to stay according to the quarantine order. Understanding their concern towards the isolation arrangement, two neighbouring isolation
      rooms have now been arranged for the family of three on the same floor.

      "HA and QEH would continue to provide necessary assistance and support to the family during their stay, while appeal for their co-operation and understanding that the arrangement has been made to safeguard public health and in the interests of the community at large," the spokesman added.


      Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2014
      Issued at HKT 00:21
      NNNN


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      Comment


      • #4
        Re: China - Hong Kong - Girl, 18 months, tested positive for H7N9 - travel history Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong - March 4, 2014

        A two-year-old boy and his parents have been isolated after he stayed in a hospital bed next to an 18-month-old girl infected with H7N9 bird flu.

        The boy's father, Tam Ming-wah, criticized the staff of Queen Elizabeth Hospital for arranging that his son stay in the same ward as the girl, who was initially diagnosed with common flu.

        Tam's son was also admitted to QEH with flu and put in the same isolation ward as the girl last Sunday.

        The boy was discharged the next day. But Tam's family was called back to the hospital for isolation on Tuesday after the girl was confirmed with H7N9, the sixth case in Hong Kong.



        At first Tam's family was not required to be isolated, but later he was told the family needed to be hospitalized for 10 days. The girl, who recovered and was discharged, and family and contacts were also brought to hospital for isolation after the virus was confirmed.


        Comment


        • #5
          Re: China - Hong Kong - Girl, 18 months, tested positive for H7N9 - travel history Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong - March 4, 2014

          Epidemiological investigation and follow-up actions by CHP on confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9)
          ************************************************** *********

          The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 6) provided an update on the sixth confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9), which is affecting an 18-month-old girl.

          "The epidemiological investigations, enhanced disease surveillance, port health measures and health education against avian influenza are all ongoing," a spokesman for the DH said.

          As of 4pm today, 13 close contacts and 117 other contacts have been identified.

          The close contacts included household members of the patient, and patients and two visitors who had stayed in the same room with the patient in Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). Among them, two are symptomatic and one of them tested positive for Influenza A (H1) virus while the other tested negative for Influenza A virus. Of the remaining 11 close contacts, nine of them tested negative for Influenza A virus while the other two tested positive for Influenza A (H1) virus. They are now under quarantine.

          Other contacts included healthcare workers, visitors, immigration staff at Lo Wu Control Point, and the doctor and patients of the private clinic which the patient consulted on February 28. Among them, two are symptomatic and tested negative for Influenza A virus. They are all under medical surveillance.

          "In view of human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) confirmed locally and multiple cases notified by 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 said.

          "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, the 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 a doctor. Health-care 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 had received 193 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 (https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/glo...nfluenza_e.pdf) for more information on avian influenza-affected areas and provinces.

          Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2014
          Issued at HKT 18:58


          Comment


          • #6
            Re: China - Hong Kong - Girl, 18 months, tested positive for H7N9 - travel history Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong - March 4, 2014

            Police called after family defies H7N9 quarantine order


            A family of three who tried to break out of H7N9-induced quarantine at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei has been reported to the police, health authorities say.

            The father, Tam Ming-wah, defied an isolation order issued on Wednesday after a girl staying in the same paediatric ward as his two-year-old son was confirmed to have been infected with the deadly strain of bird flu.

            Tam, 50, and his wife were to be confined to one room, while their son, who was being treated for flu, would be confined in another room. All three had tested negative for H7N9 but the hospital placed them under medical surveillance for 10 days until March 13.

            Tam tried to lead his family out at 7pm, after learning from medical workers that the boy was to be kept separately.

            "I was having an emotional breakdown," he said. "All of a sudden, there was someone locking me up and separating me from my son. I was out of my senses."

            ..


            Comment

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