Archive. Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (From Sep. 26, 2009 to December 31, 2009)

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: Primary school advised to suspend classes (9/29/09)

The Department of Health today (September 29) advised a primary school to suspend classes for seven days starting tomorrow to stop the possible spread of human swine influenza (HSI) in the school.

The advice was made following the outbreak of HSI in PLK Camoes Tan Siu Lin Primary School in Yau Ma Tei, a spokesman for the department said.

Investigation revealed that 51 boys and 52 girls, aged between 6 and 11 at the school had developed influenza-like illness symptoms since September 3. No hospitalisation is required and all those affectedare in stable condition. Laboratory results showed that three students were confirmed to have been infected with HSI. The department has visited the school and advised staff on infection control measures. The school has been put under medical surveillance.

The spokesman called on parents to pay attention to the health condition of their children, and to remind them to observe good personal and environmental hygiene.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: Cleansing arrangements stepped up at LCSD facilities to ensure hygiene (9/29/09)

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 29) that a lifeguard working at Wan Chai Swimming Pool was confirmed to have infected with human swine influenza.

He developed flu symptoms on September 25 and has been on sick leave since September 26. The department said that the concerned staff member would only resume duty upon full recovery. It had also informed staff of the venue about the condition of the concerned staff member and notified the public by posting notices at the venue. Operation of the venue remains normal. Staff are advised to seek medical consultation if they have any flu symptoms.

Cleaning and disinfection of the public areas in the venue, the concerned staff member's work areas and commonly touched surfaces have been arranged to prevent the spread of the disease.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: HA update on Designated Flu Clinic and admitted human swine influenza patients (9/29/09)

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) spokesman provided the following updates today (September 29):

The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 956 patients with flu-like symptoms.

As at 2.30pm today, there were 513 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours.

This brings to 27,500 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong.

Currently, a total of 265 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment.

Among them, 244 cases are in stable condition, nine in serious and 12 in critical condition.

There are three newly confirmed critical cases announced today, including a 38-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus and renal failure disease in Princess Margaret Hospital, a 24-year-old male patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Queen Mary Hospital and a 55-year-old male patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and renal failure disease in Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

They developed influenza symptoms between September 25 to 29 and were admitted hospitals for treatment. The test results for human swine influenza were subsequently confirmed and they were prescribed with Tamiflu and on ventilation support. The hospitals will closely monitor their condition.

Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 17 staff members of public hospitals (four male and 13 female, including four allied health professionals, four clerks and nine supporting staff).

So far there were 772 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza.

Among them, 616 have already recovered and returned to work.

The HA spokesman reminded the public that the test for human swine influenza is not routine now because the treatment of patients would not depend on the outcome of the test.

Under normal circumstances, both DFCs and Accident & Emergency Departments will only conduct laboratory tests for human swine influenza on the following specific groups of patients:

• Pregnant women
• Children at or under 12-month-old
• Healthcare workers including staff from residential homes
• Patients living in institutions without outbreak
• Influenza patients with persistent fever (over 38C) or whose condition deteriorate 48 hours after treatment

Public hospitals and clinics will only prescribe symptom control medication to influenza patients with mild condition.
Patients can consider seeking consultation first with private doctors and clinics.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: Primary school advised to suspend classes (9/30/09)

The Department of Health today (September 30) advised a primary school to suspend classes for seven days starting tomorrow to stop the possible spread of human swine influenza (HSI) in the school.

The advice was given following the outbreak of HSI in Diocesan Boy's School Primary Division in Mong Kok, a spokesman for the department said. Investigation revealed that 152 students aged between six and 12 at the school have developed influenza-like-illness symptoms since September 10.

No hospitalisation is required.

All the affected persons are in stable condition.

Laboratory results confirmed that one student had been infected with HSI.

The department has visited the school and advised staff on infection control measures. The school is under medical surveillance.

The spokesman called on parents to pay attention to the health condition of their children, and to remind them to observe good personal and environmental hygiene.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: Update on Tuen Mun Hospital cluster of human swine influenza in male ward (9/30/09)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

Regarding an earlier announcement on nine patients of a male ward for the mentally handicapped in Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) presented with fever and flu symptoms, TMH announced the following updates today (September 30):

There are two more patients (aged 28 and 38) in the ward presenting with fever and flu symptoms. Viral tests were arranged for them and all were confirmed with human swine influenza.

The patients are being treated under isolation and are in stable condition.

Infection control measures of the concerned ward are stepped up. Admission to and discharge from the ward are suspended, while restricted visiting policy is implemented.

Patients' relatives have been informed about the situation. All other patients and the staff 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.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: HA update on Designated Flu Clinic and admitted human swine influenza patients (9/30/09)

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) spokesman provided the following updates today (September 30):

The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 829 patients with flu-like symptoms.

As at 2.30pm today, there were 397 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours.

This brings to 27,897 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong.

Currently, a total of 237 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment.

Among them, 216 cases are in stable condition, nine in serious and 12 in critical condition.

The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a 52-year-old male patient of Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The patient developed flu symptoms on September 25 and was admitted to Accident and Emergency Department of KWH yesterday (September 29). Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed yesterday and he was transferred to Intensive Care Unit. The patient received Tamiflu and antibiotics. He is on ventilation support.

The hospital will closely monitor his condition.

Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 17 staff members of public hospitals (eight male and nine female, including one doctor, seven nurses, two allied health professionals, two clerical staff and five supporting staff).

So far there were 789 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza.

Among them, 632 have already recovered and returned to work.

The HA spokesman reminded the public that the test for human swine influenza is not routine.

However, this will not affect the treatment of patients.

Under normal circumstances, both DFCs and Accident & Emergency Departments will only conduct laboratory tests for human swine influenza on the following specific groups of patients:

• Pregnant women
• Children at or under 12-month-old
• Healthcare workers including staff from residential homes
• Patients living in institutions without outbreak
• Influenza patients with persistent fever (over 38C) or whose condition deteriorate 48 hours after treatment

Public hospitals and clinics will only prescribe symptom control medication to influenza patients with mild condition.

Patients can consider seeking consultation first with private hospitals and clinics.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: A fatal case of human swine influenza at PMH (9/30/09)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement regarding the death of a critical human swine influenza (HSI) patient today (September 30):

A 38-year-old male patient with a history of diabetes mellitus and renal failure was admitted to Intensive Care Unit via Accident & Emergency Department of PMH on September 29 because of flu symptoms. Positive result of HSI was confirmed on the same day. He was given Tamiflu, Relenza and antibiotics, with ventilation support. His condition continued to deteriorate and he was certified dead on September 29 at 10.23pm.

The case has been reported to Hospital Authority Head Office and Centre for Health Protection.

We would like to express our condolences to the patient's family.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: Update of clustering of HSI cases in paediatric ward in PYNEH (9/30/09)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

Regarding an earlier announcement on three patients and three staff members of a paediatric ward in Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) presented with fever and flu symptoms, PYNEH announced the following updates today (September 30):

Today there is one more male staff member in the ward presenting with flu-like symptoms.

Viral test was arranged and the staff member was subsequently confirmed with Human Swine Influenza.

The staff member is now on sick leave and is in stable condition.

PYNEH has enhanced infection control measures of the concerned ward in accordance with the HA Infection Control Guidelines and will closely monitor the condition of affected patients and staff.

Patient service remains normal in the ward.

The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow up.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: A Critical Female Patient in UCH Confirmed HSI Positive (10/1/09)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesman of United Christian Hospital (UCH) made the following announcement on human swine influenza today (October 1):

There is a newly confirmed critical case of human swine influenza in UCH.

The patient is a 30-year-old female patient who developed flu symptoms on 28 September and attended Accident and Emergency Department of UCH on 30 September and is now in Intensive Care Unit. The patient was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics and is currently on ventilation support.

The hospital will closely monitor her condition.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: Special school advised to extend class suspension (10/2/09)

The Department of Health today (October 2) advised Hong Chi Pinehill No 3 School in Tai Po to suspend classes for another week starting October 4 to stop the possible spread of human swine influenza (HSI) in the school.

The school had already suspended classes since September 27 following an HSI outbreak, a spokesman for the department said.

Investigations revealed that 18 students, aged between five and 18, and two staff members at the school developed influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms since September 22.

Laboratory results confirmed that 15 students were infected with HSI.

Among them, an 11-year-old girl with multiple medical conditions passed away this morning.

The case has been referred to the Coroner for investigation.

"In view of continued identification of new ILI cases in the school's hostel in recent days, the department today advised the school to extend class suspension for another week.

"The department had visited the school and provided infection control measures.

"Tamiflu has been given to the staff and residents with close contacts with the patients as chemoprophylaxis. The school has been put under medical surveillance," the spokesman said.

The spokesman called on parents to pay attention to the health condition of their children, and to remind them to observe good personal and environmental hygiene.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: CHP investigating a case of Legionnaires' Disease (10/2/09)

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a case of Legionnaires' Disease involving a 79-year-old man.

The patient, living in Kwun Tong, had cough, shortness of breath and chest pain since September 17. He was admitted to United Christian Hospital on September 19.He recovered and was discharged today (October 2). Blood tests revealed that he had been infected with Legionella bacteria.

The CHP's investigation showed that he had no recent travel history. His family member is asymptomatic.

This is the 30th Legionnaires' Disease case reported this year. Thirteen cases were reported in 2008, 11 in 2007 and 16 in 2006.

Information on Legionnaires' Disease and advice on preventive measures can be found at the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: HA weekly statistics of Designated Flu Clinics and admitted human swine influenza patients (10/2/09)

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 (October 2) provided the following wrap up of the past week:

In the past week (September 25 - October 1), a total of 7,574 patients with flu-like symptoms attended the Designated Flu Clinics.

Among all confirmed human swine influenza patients, 245 confirmed patients are now staying in public hospitals for treatment, with 223 in stable condition, eight in serious and 14 in critical condition.

Since the first fatal case of human swine influenza recorded in Hong Kong in July this year, there have been 25 confirmed human swine influenza patients who have died in public hospitals.

Furthermore, the newly confirmed cases in the past week included 120 staff members of public hospitals (37 male and 83 female, including 11 doctors, 45 nurses, 18 allied health professionals, 20 administrative/clerical staff and 24 supporting staff).

So far there were 800 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza.

Among them, 632 have already recovered and returned to work.

The HA spokesman reminded the public that the test for human swine influenza is not routine now because the treatment of patients would not depend on the outcome of the test.

Under normal circumstances, both DFCs and Accident & Emergency Departments will only conduct laboratory tests for human swine influenza on the following specific groups of patients:

• Pregnant women
• Children at or under 12-month-old
• Healthcare workers including staff from residential homes
• Patients living in institutions without outbreak
• Influenza patients with persistent fever (over 38C) or whose condition deteriorate 48 hours after treatment Public hospitals and clinics will only prescribe symptom control medication to influenza patients with mild condition.

Patients can consider seeking consultation first with private hospitals and clinics.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: HA announces two fatal cases and a critical case of human swine influenza (10/2/09)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority today (October 2) announced two fatal cases of human swine influenza and a new critical case:

A 93-year-old female patient with a history of old cerebral vascular disease and hypertension developed fever and upper respiratory symptoms on September 30. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre and was admitted on the same day for clinical treatment. Positive result for HSI was confirmed on October 1 and she was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. Her condition deteriorated and she succumbed at 6.48am today.

An 11-year-old girl with an underlying history of mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and asthma was admitted into the paediatric isolation ward via the Accident and Emergency Department of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital on September 26 with flu symptoms. Positive result for human swine influenza was confirmed the same day and she was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. She suffered cardiac arrest this morning and succumbed at 9.21am.

Both cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection, and have been referred to the coroner for follow up.

The hospitals would like to express condolences to the families of the two deceased patients.

Furthermore, there is a newly confirmed critical case of human swine influenza in United Chirstian Hospital. The patient is a 35-year-old male patient with epilepsy who developed flu symptoms on October 1 and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit via the Accident and Emergency Department of United Christian Hospital on the same day. The patient was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics and is currently on ventilation support. The hospital will closely monitor his condition.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: A critical case of human swine influenza patient at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (10/3/09)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following announcement on human swine influenza today (October 3):

There is a newly confirmed critical case of human swine influenza in QEH.

The patient is a 27-year-old male patient who has a history of intravenous astrocytoma and hydrocephalus. He was admitted to QEH on September 28 for the management of his own disease. He developed flu symptoms on September 30. His test result for human swine influenza was positive on October 2.

The patient was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics and is currently on ventilation support.

The hospital will closely monitor his condition.
-

View Original Article

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong PRC SAR: Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Situation Updates (Since Sep. 26, 2009)

Hong Kong: HA announces a fatal case and a critical case of human swine influenza (10/4/09)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority today (October 4) announced a fatal case of human swine influenza and a new critical case:

A 69-year-old female patient with history of lung cancer, hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus and acute coronary disease developed fever and upper respiratory symptoms and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital on October 2.

The patient was admitted on the same day for clinical treatment and prescribed with antibiotics.

Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed on October 3.

The condition of the patient deteriorated and succumbed at 9.06pm last evening (October 3).

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

The hospital would like to express its condolences to the deceased's family.

Furthermore, there is a newly confirmed critical case of human swine influenza in Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH).

The patient is a 57-year-old female patient with end stage renal failure, Diabetes Mellitus and hypertension. She developed flu symptoms on September 27 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of TMH on October 3. She was admitted to TMH on the same day and positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed on October 4. The patient was prescribed with Tamiflu, Relenza and antibiotics and is currently on ventilation support.

The hospital will closely monitor her condition.
-

View Original Article