Archive: Hong Kong (PRC SAR): Epidemiological Surveillance, Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, from Centre of Health Protection (CHP) - Jan 3-Feb 28, 2010

[Ronan Kelly]

United Christian Hospital announces a fatal case of human swine influenza (#63)

United Christian Hospital announces a fatal case of human swine influenza


Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson of United Christian Hospital (UCH) made the following announcement today (January 24) regarding a fatal case of human swine influenza (HSI): A 20-year-old male patient with severe congenital heart disease admitted to Medical and Geriatric ward via the Accident and Emergency Department of UCH on January 20 for fever and flu symptoms. His condition deteriorated and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on the same day. He was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics and requiring ventilation support.

The test result for HSI was confirmed positive on January 21. His condition remained critical and was finally succumbed today at 5.15am. The hospital would like to express its condolences to the patient's family.

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

Source: HKSAR Government

http://7thspace.com/headlines/332344/united_christian_hospital_announces_a_fatal_case_of_human_swine_influenza.html

[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: Hospital Authority announces one fatal and one critical case of human swine influenza (1/25/10)

Hong Kong: Hospital Authority announces one fatal and one critical case of human swine influenza (1/25/10)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority today (January 25) announced one fatal and one critical case of human swine influenza (HSI):

A 76-year-old male patient with Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease (COAD) attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Pok Oi Hospital on January 13 with flu symptoms and was admitted for treatment. Positive result of HSI was confirmed on the same day and the patient was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. His condition deteriorated and was transferred to the High Dependency Unit. He succumbed yesterday (January 24). The hospital would like to express condolences to the patient's family.

A 52-year-old male patient with good past health attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on Saturday (January 23) with fever, cough, shortness of breath and pneumonia. He was subsequently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and positive result of HSI was confirmed yesterday. Tamiflu and antibiotics were prescribed. He is now in critical condition and requires ventilation support.

The hospital will continue to closely monitor his condition. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection.
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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong (PRC SAR): Epidemiological Surveillance, Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, from Centre of Health Protection (CHP) - Since January 3rd, 2009

Hong Kong: Statistics on human swine influenza vaccinations (1/25/10)

At least 2,063 doses of human swine influenza (HSI) vaccine were administered at Hospital Authority (HA), Department of Health (DH) and private clinics to target groups between 1pm on January 22 and 1pm today (January 25).

Of this number, 1,464 were administered at HA and DH clinics while the eHealth System received 599 vaccination reimbursement claims from private doctors. It is expected that some additional vaccinations already given by private doctors will be recorded in the eHealth System later. The administered doses comprised 517 jabs for community-living elderly aged 65 or above; 369 for people under 65 years with chronic illnesses; four for pregnant women; 66 for healthcare workers; 1,105 for children aged between six months and less than six years; and two for pig farmers and slaughterhouse workers.

This brings to at least 147,816 the cumulative total of HSI jabs administered to target groups since the start of the vaccination programme on December 21, 2009.

A DH spokesman said a press release would be issued for individual significant health events with vaccination history recorded by the department. "Examples may include post-vaccine weakness and intrauterine death involving pregnant women with more than 24 weeks gestation. "As to other health events with vaccination history, the number will be reported on the website of Centre for Health Protection at www.chp.gov.hk," he said.
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[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: Critical case of human swine influenza in Kwong Wah Hospital (1/26/10)

Hong Kong: Critical case of human swine influenza in Kwong Wah Hospital (1/26/10)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

A Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) spokesman made the following announcement regarding a new case of critical human swine influenza patient today (January 26):

A 47-year-old female patient with hypertension was presented with flu symptoms since January 21. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of KWH on January 24 and was admitted to the isolation ward for treatment. She was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. The test result for human swine influenza was confirmed positive yesterday (January 25). Her condition deteriorated the same day and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for further care. She is in critical condition and currently on ventilatory support.

The hospital will closely monitor her condition.
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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong (PRC SAR): Epidemiological Surveillance, Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, from Centre of Health Protection (CHP) - Since January 3rd, 2009

Hong Kong: Statistics on human swine influenza vaccinations (1/26/10)

At least 1,426 doses of human swine influenza (HSI) vaccine were administered at Hospital Authority (HA), Department of Health (DH) and private clinics to target groups during the 24 hours ending at 1pm today (January 26).

Of this number, 1,123 were administered at HA and DH clinics while the eHealth System received 303 vaccination reimbursement claims from private doctors. It is expected that some additional vaccinations already given by private doctors will be recorded in the eHealth System later. The administered doses comprised 395 jabs for community-living elderly aged 65 or above; 225 for persons under 65 years with chronic illnesses; seven for pregnant women; 164 for healthcare workers; and 635 for children aged between six months and less than six years.

This brings to at least 149,242 the cumulative total of HSI jabs administered to target groups since the start of the vaccination programme on December 21, 2009.
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[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: Special school advised to suspend classes (1/27/10)

Hong Kong: Special school advised to suspend classes (1/27/10)

The Department of Health has advised a special school, TWGHs Kwan Fong Kai Chi School in Sham Shui Po, to suspend classes for seven days starting tomorrow (January 28) to stop the possible spread of human swine influenza (HSI) in the school.

The advice was made following an HSI outbreak in the school affecting four students, aged between seven and 15, and one staff member.

One of the affected students, an 11-year-old girl, who has a chronic medical condition, is in serious condition, a spokesman for the department said.

The girl developed cough, fever and convulsion on January 20 and was admitted to hospital on January 22. Laboratory tests on her respiratory specimens were positive for HSI. The girl did not receive HSI vaccine. All the other affected persons are in stable condition.

Staff of the Department of Health had visited the school and advised on infection control measures.

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.
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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong (PRC SAR): Epidemiological Surveillance, Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, from Centre of Health Protection (CHP) - Since January 3rd, 2009

Hong Kong: Statistics on human swine influenza vaccinations (1/27/10)

At least 1,179 doses of human swine influenza (HSI) vaccine were administered at Hospital Authority (HA), Department of Health (DH) and private clinics to target groups during the 24 hours ending at 1pm today (January 27).

Of this number, 898 were administered at HA and DH clinics while the eHealth System received 281 vaccination reimbursement claims from private doctors. It is expected that some additional vaccinations already given by private doctors will be recorded in the eHealth System later.

The administered doses comprised 330 jabs for community-living elderly aged 65 or above; 255 for persons under 65 years with chronic illnesses; one for pregnant women; 47 for healthcare workers; 541 for children aged between six months and less than six years; and five for pig farmers and slaughterhouse workers.

This brings to at least 150,421 the cumulative total of HSI jabs administered to target groups since the start of the vaccination programme on December 21, 2009.
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[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: SFH on human swine flu vaccine and nursing manpower (1/28/10)

Hong Kong: SFH on human swine flu vaccine and nursing manpower (1/28/10)

Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a media stand-up session after attending a public function today (January 28):

Reporter:
Are you concerned about wastage of human swine flu vaccine?

Secretary for Food and Health:
Like all types of stockpiling, we expect there will be some degree of wastage and particularly for this type of vaccine, if there is no severe outbreak of the pandemic and if there is no high demand for it, of course some of them will not be used at all. It is important that I have mentioned time and again that this is an insurance to ensure that in times of need, we actually have the supply.

Reporter:
Are you concerned about the public healthcare services being compromised because of lack of nurses?

Secretary for Food and Health:
The number of nurses in the public sector was actually hit by various issues in the last five years. Because there was a voluntary retirement scheme in 2003 and increase of services in the private sector starting from 2004 and 2005, we did actually face increase of wastage in the last three or four years. But starting from last year, we have already increased the number of nurses in the public sector and we foresee also there will be around 1,400 graduates of nurses in 2010. So by autumn, I think our supply of nurses will be starting better. Looking forward to the years to come, we will be increasing the training of nurses and there will be more graduates in the year 2011, 2012 and so on. This will be able to meet some of the shortage we have.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
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[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: Expert Group views on serious adverse events with history of HSI vaccination (1/28/10)

Hong Kong: Expert Group views on serious adverse events with history of HSI vaccination (1/28/10)

Members of the Expert Group on Serious Adverse Events with History of Human Swine Influenza (HSI) vaccination, at its meeting today (January 28), reached consensus views on reported cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and intrauterine deaths (IUD) with history of HSI vaccination.

On the GBS compatible case reported on January 6, 2010, the expert group noted that to date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has found no evidence suggesting a causal relationship between GBS and HSI vaccination and that the reported number of GBS cases worldwide has been in line with usual background rates prior to the introduction of such vaccines. It was also noted that recent incidences of GBS after the start of HSI vaccination programme in Hong Kong does not increase over the baseline, which is about 40 to 60 cases per year.

"While it is always difficult to completely rule out a rare, idiosyncratic response to any vaccine or drug for an individual patient, literature review shows that the majority of GBS cases that are temporally associated with vaccination occurred from the second to third week, with a median latency of 13 days," a spokesman said.

On the two reported cases of intrauterine deaths with history of human swine influenza vaccination, it was noted that the Department of Health received the reports on January 20 and January 23, 2010 respectively.

Both cases had known risk factors, namely, advanced maternal age and long-term medication in one case and gestational diabetes mellitus in the other. About 150 to 220 cases of IUD occur in Hong Kong every year. A significant proportion, 15 to 70 per cent, of the cases do not have identifiable causes. It was noted that as at January 27, 2010, a total of 1,375 pregnant women have received HSI vaccine.

"Currently, the proportion of IUD among vaccinated women have not exceeded the local baseline incidence of IUD, i.e., around 0.15 per cent versus 0.2 to 0.4 per cent," the spokesman said.

"The rate of stillbirths among vaccinated pregnant women is therefore at the low end of usual background levels."

More extensive overseas experience and recommendations from the WHO on the use of HSI vaccine in pregnant women have confirmed the safety profile of HSI vaccine including the lack of any demonstrable association with IUD.

"There is currently no evidence that HSI vaccines increase the chance of IUD based on both local data and international experience," the spokesman said. "It is unlikely that the two observed IUD cases were caused by previous HSI vaccination."
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[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: HA weekly statistics of Designated Flu Clinics and admitted human swine influenza patients (1/28/10)

Hong Kong: HA weekly statistics of Designated Flu Clinics and admitted human swine influenza patients (1/28/10)

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 (January 28) provided the following wrap of the past week:

In the past week (January 21-27), a total of 997 patients with flu-like symptoms attended the DFCs. Among all confirmed human swine influenza patients, 72 confirmed patients are now staying in public hospitals for treatment, with 52 in stable condition, six serious and 14 critical.

The newly confirmed cases in the past week included 14 staff members of public hospitals (two male and 12 female, including two doctors, two nurses, five allied health professionals, four support staff and one administrative/clerical staff).

So far there are 1,313 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza.

Among them, 1,307 have already recovered and returned to work.

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

Re: Hong Kong (PRC SAR): Epidemiological Surveillance, Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, from Centre of Health Protection (CHP) - Since January 3rd, 2009

Hong Kong: Statistics on human swine influenza vaccinations (1/28/10)

At least 1,060 doses of human swine influenza (HSI) vaccine were administered at Hospital Authority (HA), Department of Health (DH) and private clinics to target groups during the 24 hours ending at 1pm today (January 28).

Of this number, 798 were administered at HA and DH clinics while the eHealth System received 262 vaccination reimbursement claims from private doctors. It is expected that some additional vaccinations already given by private doctors will be recorded in the eHealth System later. The administered doses comprised 316 jabs for community-living elderly aged 65 or above; 193 for persons under 65 years with chronic illnesses; two for pregnant women; 32 for healthcare workers; 516 for children aged between six months and less than six years; and one for pig farmers and slaughterhouse workers.

This brings to at least 151,481 the cumulative total of HSI jabs administered to target groups since the start of the vaccination programme on December 21, 2009.
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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong (PRC SAR): Epidemiological Surveillance, Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, from Centre of Health Protection (CHP) - Since January 3rd, 2009

Hong Kong: Statistics on human swine influenza vaccinations (1/29/10)

At least 973 doses of human swine influenza (HSI) vaccine were administered at Hospital Authority (HA), Department of Health (DH) and private clinics to target groups during the 24 hours ending at 1pm today (January 29).

Of this number, 737 were administered at HA and DH clinics while the eHealth System received 236 vaccination reimbursement claims from private doctors. It is expected that some additional vaccinations given by private doctors will be recorded in the eHealth System later. The administered doses comprised 273 jabs for community-living elderly aged 65 or above; 166 for persons under 65 years with chronic illnesses; one for pregnant woman; 27 for healthcare workers; and 506 for children aged between six months and less than six years.

This brings to at least 152,454 the cumulative total of HSI jabs administered to target groups since the start of the vaccination programme on December 21, 2009.
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[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: Cluster of Human Swine Influenza cases in Princess Margaret Hospital (1/29/10)

Hong Kong: Cluster of Human Swine Influenza cases in Princess Margaret Hospital (1/29/10)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

A spokesperson of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) issued the following announcement today (January 29):

Since January 22, two female patients (aged 76 and 77) and one female staff member of a Medicine and Geriatrics Ward in PMH have presented with flu symptoms.Viral tests were arranged for them and all were subsequently confirmed with Human Swine Influenza.

The two patients are being treated under isolation and prescribed with Tamiflu.

Both are in stable condition.

The staff member is in stable condition after treatment and on sick leave. Admissions to the ward has been suspended and infection control measures have already been stepped up. Patients' relatives have been informed about the situation.

All other patients and the staff in the ward are under close monitoring.

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

Hong Kong: SFH on human swine flu (2/1/10)

Hong Kong: SFH on human swine flu (2/1/10)

Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a media stand-up session after attending a public function today (February 1):

Reporter:
(on the effectiveness of human swine flu vaccine)

Secretary for Food and Health:
The most simple explanation is if you look at all the mortalities in the last few weeks, all of them actually did not have any vaccinations. And this is already a good proof. Of course, flu vaccination is not new as such because it has been in the market for many years. It has been proven to be useful to prevent outbreaks and also serious cases, particularly personal protection for flu. Swine flu is one form of flu and you have to understand that H1N1 is also a form of influenza, just like H1, H3 as well as flu B. This type of manufacturing of vaccine is the same as other vaccines but coming from different viral prototype. So the manufacturing process and also the effect is all the same. I do not think it is right to say they have no effect. So far, it has also been proven that all the cases admitted into hospital, severe cases, and also those who unfortunately died, also did not have the vaccine. So it has actually proved that it works.

Reporter:
(on the number of people taking vaccination)

Secretary for Food and Health:
As I said earlier, the reason why we have the vaccine is to ensure that we have sufficient supply for all the patients who are in need. Obviously, we have sufficient supply for all the five at-risk groups in Hong Kong, plus some extra for people who are willing to take the vaccine. I am not worried that it is not taken entirely because I think, if just in case, the peak of the influenza is getting worse, I am sure more people will be interested to take it. It is important that we have it in reserve and can be able to use it in the peak if necessary. It is like insurance. It is like something you put there so that in case of need, you can use it.

Reporter:
(on definition of pandemic)

Secretary for Food and Health:
The definition of pandemic is a new influenza infectious epidemic that spreads from continent to continent. As far as today is concerned, there are over 160 countries that have already actually reported the presence of the new influenza. So I think by all definitions this is a pandemic.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong (PRC SAR): Epidemiological Surveillance, Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, from Centre of Health Protection (CHP) - Since January 3rd, 2009

Hong Kong: Statistics on human swine influenza vaccinations (2/1/10)

Another 4,986 doses of human swine influenza (HSI) vaccine administered to target groups have been recorded by the Department of Health (DH) as at 1pm today (February 1).

Of this number, 849 were administered at Hospital Authority and DH clinics between 1pm on January 29 and 1pm today while the eHealth System received 685 vaccination reimbursement claims from private doctors during the same period. In addition, 3,452 HSI claim reimbursements were received from outreach teams to residential care homes between January 18 and 1pm on February 1. It is expected that some additional vaccinations given will be recorded in the eHealth System later. The administered doses comprised 362 jabs for community-living elderly aged 65 or above; 220 for persons under 65 years with chronic illnesses; five for pregnant woman; 187 for healthcare workers; 901 for children aged between six months and less than six years; one for pig farmers and slaughterhouse workers, and 3,310 for residents of residential care homes.

This brings to at least 157,440 the cumulative total of HSI jabs administered to target groups since the start of the vaccination programme on December 21, 2009.

Regarding the 91-year-old man admitted with lower limb weakness to Princess Margaret Hospital on January 12, subsequent investigation including examination of cerebrospinal fluid and nerve conduction tests did not support the diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. He was also found to have pneumonia which could explain his symptoms. The man has recovered and was discharged on January 30.
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