Giuseppe
Emeritus
Hong Kong: CHP closely monitoring increase in seasonal influenza activity (7/22/10)
[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, View Original Article.]
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:
-
------
[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, View Original Article.]
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.
-
------