Flu cases rising

[Ronan Kelly]

Flu cases rising





The Centre for Health Protection has called on people to take precautions against seasonal influenza as the latest surveillance shows a gradual increase in the number of flu isolates in recent weeks.



The Public Health Laboratory Centre recorded 98 influenza detections for the week ending July 17, compared with 73 and 47 detections for the previous two weeks.



Viruses isolated last week were mainly human swine influenza (39%), seasonal influenza B (33%) or seasonal influenza A (H3N2) (27%).



The consultation rates for influenza-like illness in sentinel private doctors and general outpatient clinics were 40.1 and 3.6 per 1,000 consultations respectively for the week, which also saw a flu-like illness outbreak affecting 13 people.

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/100722/html/100722en05004.htm

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Flu cases rising

CHP closely monitoring increase in seasonal influenza activity


Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 22) called on people to take precautionary measures against seasonal influenza infection. A CHP spokesman said the latest surveillance data show a gradual increase in the number of influenza isolates in recent weeks. The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Centre (PHLC) recorded 98 influenza detections for the week ending July 17, compared with 47 influenza detections for the week ending July 3, and 73 for the week ending July 10.

"Influenza viruses isolated last week are mainly human swine influenza (39%), seasonal influenza B (33%) or seasonal influenza A (H3N2) (27%)," the spokesman said. The consultation rates for influenza-like illness (ILI) in sentinel private doctors and general out-patient clinics for the week ending July 17 were 40.1 and 3.6 per 1,000 consultations respectively. The corresponding figures for the previous week were 47.8 and 4.0 respectively.

There was an ILI outbreak affecting 13 persons in the same week while three outbreaks affecting 22 persons were recorded in the previous week. The CHP is closely monitoring the situation. Historically, the summer influenza season in Hong Kong tends to occur in July and August.

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 for medical advice promptly if they develop influenza-like symptoms.
http://7thspace.com/headlines/35177..._increase_in_seasonal_influenza_activity.html

 

[tetano]

Re: Flu cases rising

The Centre for Health Protection warns of increasing influenza activity, detecting 125 flu infections for the week ending July 24, compared to 98 the previous week.



Flu virus isolates in last two weeks were mainly human swine flu (40%). Seasonal influenza A-H3N2 and seasonal influenza B occupied 30% each.



The consultation rates for flu-like illness at sentinel private doctors for the week ending July 24 was 51.5 per 1,000 consultations, rising from 40.1 in the preceding week.



There were seven outbreaks of flu-like illnesses affecting 29 people, compared with one outbreak involving 13 people previously. Half of these outbreaks occurred in elderly care homes.


http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/100729/html/100729en05010.htm