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Hong Kong, PRC SAR: Epi-Surveillance (September 2008, Govt Press Releases)

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Re: Hong Kong, PRC SAR: Epi-Surveillance (September 2008, Govt Press Releases)

Hong Kong: Outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection under close watch (12/8/2008) [CHP]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 8) urged members of the public and management of institutions to take preventive measures against respiratory tract infection by observing strict environmental and personal hygiene.


The appeal was made during CHP's investigation of a report of an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection in an elderly home in Eastern District.

As of today, 21 people are affected.

Eighteen residents and three staff members, comprising seven men and 14 women aged from 25 to 96, developed symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, including fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat between November 15 and December 7.

Among them, 18 consulted doctors or visited out-patient clinics and three others were admitted to the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital.

One has been discharged.

All of the affected are in stable condition.

CHP officials have conducted field visits to the institution and provided health advice to the staff.

To prevent respiratory tract infection, the public are advised to adopt the following measures:
* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* Maintain good personal hygiene, wash hands after sneezing or coughing, and wear a mask when having symptoms of respiratory tract infection;
* Maintain good ventilation; and
* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.

Members of the public, particularly children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult doctors promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection.
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Re: Hong Kong, PRC SAR: Epi-Surveillance (September 2008, Govt Press Releases)

Hong Kong: A Cholera case confirmed (12/17/2008) [CHP]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a confirmed (December 17) case of cholera and reminded people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene, whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad.


The case involved a 35-year-old woman who developed vomiting and diarrhoea on December 10 and was admitted to a private hospital on December 11. She is now being isolated in Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment and is in a stable condition. Laboratory test today showed that her stool specimen yielded positive result for Vibrio cholerae Ogawa.

CHP's investigation revealed that she had travelled to India from November 27 to December 8 with family members.

This is the sixth case of cholera reported this year. There were three cholera cases in 2007, one in 2006, five in 2005, five in 2004 and seven in 2003.

A CHP spokesman said, "Whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad, people should pay attention to hygiene and take measures to prevent cholera and food-borne infection."

People are urged to:
* Wash and cook seafood thoroughly before eating, particularly crustaceans and bivalves such as shrimp, crab, oysters and clams;
* Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;
* Handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross-contamination;
* Keep raw and cooked food separately;
* Store food in refrigerator (at 4 degrees Celsius or below) and thoroughly reheat leftover food before eating;
* Keep the environment clean.

When travelling outside Hong Kong, they should:
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;
* Eat only thoroughly cooked food and food from sealed packs or cans;
* Avoid cold dishes such as salad and ice-cream;
* Drink only boiled water, canned or bottled drinks, pasteurised milk or dairy products;
* Do not add ice to drinks and do not drink fresh fruit juice that has been prepared beforehand;
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers; and
* Wash fruit thoroughly before eating and do not eat fruit that has already been peeled or cut open.

For more preventive measures against cholera, people may visit CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk/).
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Re: Hong Kong, PRC SAR: Epi-Surveillance (September 2008, Govt Press Releases)

Hong Kong: Tai Po Hospital outbreak of Streptococcus Pyogenes (12/17/2008) [CHP]

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

A Tai Po Hospital spokesperson announced today (December 17) that since December 5, nine patients (aged from 25 to 47) of a male psychiatric ward had presented with symptoms of skin abscess.


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

Test results of six patients are positive to Streptococcus Pyogenes.

The hospital will continue to provide treatment to the patients and closely monitor their condition. All other patients in the ward concerned are under close surveillance. Admission and visiting to the concerned ward are suspended for the time being.

Infection control measures have been enhanced while thorough cleansing and disinfection have also been carried out in the ward. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
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Re: Hong Kong, PRC SAR: Epi-Surveillance (September 2008, Govt Press Releases)

Hong Kong: Case of necrotizing fasciitis under investigation (12/18/2008) [CHP]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 18) received a report of a necrotizing fasciitis case (flesh-eating disease) involving an 80-year-old woman.


The woman, living in Tseung Kwan O, injured her right middle finger when handling fish on December 14. Her finger became swollen and red the same evening. She was admitted to hospital the next day and underwent surgery on December 16 and 17. She is currently in stable condition. Laboratory tests on pus from her finger yielded growth of Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotizing fasciitis.

A CHP spokesman said necrotizing fasciitis was a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue and fascia. It can destroy tissue and can cause death within 12 to 24 hours after infection.

Members of the public are reminded to adopt the following preventive measures:
*Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to seawater or salty water;
*Wounds should be thoroughly cleansed and properly covered;
*Wear thick rubber gloves when handling raw shellfish.

Patients should seek medical advice promptly if they developed symptoms and signs of infection like increasing redness, pain and swelling.
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Re: Hong Kong, PRC SAR: Epi-Surveillance (September 2008, Govt Press Releases)

Hong Kong: Tai Po Hospital Streptococcus Pyogenes Update (12/22/2008) [CHP]

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

Regarding earlier announcement that some patients in a male psychiatric ward of Tai Po Hospital (TPH) have presented with symptoms of skin abscess and whose test results have been confirmed positive to Streptococcus Pyogenes, the spokesperson of the Hospital gave the following update today (December 22).

Test results of three more patients from the concerned ward have been confirmed positive to Streptococcus Pyogenes.


In addition, test result of a patient (aged 74) in another male psychiatric ward has also been confirmed positive to the bacteria.

Up to now, the test results of 15 patients (aged between 20 to 76) in total in the psychiatric unit have been confirmed positive to the bacteria.

All patients are now being treated under isolation and in stable condition.

Admission and visiting to the wards concerned would continue to be suspended.

Infection control measures have been stepped up and all patients are under close surveillance.

The TPH Infection Control Team has reported the case to the Hospital Authority and the Centre for Health Protection.
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Re: Hong Kong, PRC SAR: Epi-Surveillance (September 2008, Govt Press Releases)

Hong Kong: Case of Streptococcus suis infection under investigation (12/23/2008) [CHP]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health isinvestigating a case of laboratory confirmed infection of Streptococcus suis today (December 23), a kind of bacteria isolated from pigs.


The case involves a 46-year-old man working in Shenzhen. He developed fever, chills and headache on December 10 and had sought medical treatment in Shenzhen. He returned to Hong Kong on December 15 and was admitted to a private hospital in Kowloon. He was transferred to Kwong Wah Hospital for further management today and is now in stable condition.

This is the sixth reported case of Streptococcus suis infection in 2008. Six cases were reported in 2007, eight in 2006 and 13 in 2005.

The spokesman said Streptococcus suis infection may present as meningitis (inflammation of the membrane enclosing the brain), septicaemia (blood stream infection), and less commonly endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers), arthritis and bronchopneumonia (a kind of lung infection involving the bronchioles).

Streptococcus suis infection could be treated with appropriate antibiotics.

To prevent the disease, people are advised to always observe personal and environmental hygiene practices and avoid contact with pigs that are sick or dead from diseases and their excreta or body fluids.

If contact with pigs or raw pork is necessary, one should:
* Use protective gloves;
* Wash hands after handling pigs or raw pork; and
* Clean and cover all wounds properly.

People with suspected symptoms should consult their doctors as soon as possible and report their relevant exposure histories.

They can obtain more information on Streptococcus suis from the CHP website (http://www.chp.gov.hk).

They can also obtain the latest information on infectious diseases in other places on the department's Hong Kong Travellers' Health Service website (http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk).
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Re: Hong Kong, PRC SAR: Epi-Surveillance (September 2008, Govt Press Releases)

Hong Kong: Tai Po Hospital Streptococcus Pyogenes Update (12/23/2008)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

Regarding earlier announcement that some patients of the male psychiatric wards of Tai Po Hospital (TPH) have presented with symptoms of skin abscess and whose test results have been confirmed positive to Streptococcus Pyogenes, the spokesperson of the hospital gave the following update today (23 December 2008).


Test result of one more patient (aged 36) has been confirmed positive to Streptococcus Pyogenes in the concerned ward.

The patient is now being treated under isolation and in stable condition.

Admission and visiting to the ward concerned would continue to be suspended.

Up to now, the test results of 16 patients (aged between 20 to 76) in the psychiatric unit have been confirmed positive to the bacteria.

Infection control measures have been stepped up and all patients are under close surveillance.

The TPH Infection Control Team has reported the case to the Hospital Authority and the Centre for Health Protection.
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Re: Hong Kong, PRC SAR: Epi-Surveillance (September 2008, Govt Press Releases)

Hong Kong: CHP investigating case of influenza A (H9N2) infection (12/30/2008) [CHP]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a case of influenza A (H9N2) infection - a mild form of avian influenza - involving a 2-month-old girl.


The Controller of CHP, Dr Thomas Tsang said today (December 30) the baby girl, living in Shenzhen with her parents, developed vomiting, cough and runny nose (but no fever), and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) on December 22.

She was discharged the next day.

The girl was taken back to Shenzhen and was re-admitted to TMH on December 29 because of high white blood cell count, which may be suggestive of underlying hematological condition.

Dr Tsang said influenza A (H9N2) virus was detected from the girl's respiratory specimen taken on December 22.

The girl was staying in the hospital for isolation and further investigation.

Her family members are asymptomatic and have been put under medical surveillance.

"Further genetic sequencing is being conducted to determine if the virus is completely of avian origin," Dr Tsang said. "As the girl was staying in Shenzhen for the whole incubation period, we have informed the Guangdong health department of this case and they will carry out necessary investigation and follow up actions. The department will inform the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health, and health authorities of Macao about the findings. Influenza A (H9N2) is an avian influenza virus which has been isolated from duck and chicken for many years. Infection in humans is rare, and appears to present as a mild disease.

Dr Tsang said this was the fifth time H9N2 viruses, an avian influenza virus, had been isolated from humans in Hong Kong.

Three girls and a boy were confirmed to have suffered from H9N2 infection in 1999, 2003 and 2007 respectively.

Hong Kong had a very comprehensive avian influenza surveillance programme to detect the presence of any avian influenza and the possible reassortment of the viruses so that prompt responsive measures could be taken, Dr Tsang said.

As a precautionary measure, people are reminded to avoid contact with live poultry to minimise the chance of being infected with avian influenza.

"Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water after handling live poultry.

"To build up good body resistance against influenza, people are encouraged to maintain a balanced diet, do regular exercise, and have adequate rest. They should not smoke,?? Dr Tsang said.

People can obtain updated information on influenza from the CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk).

They can also get information on the prevention of influenza from the department's Central Health Education Hotline on 2833 0111.
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Re: Hong Kong, PRC SAR: Epi-Surveillance (September 2008, Govt Press Releases)

Hong Kong: Outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection under close watch (12/31/2008) [CHP]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 31) urged the public and management of institutions to take preventive measures against respiratory tract infection by observing strict environmental and personal hygiene.


The appeal was made during CHP's investigation of a report of an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection in an elderly home in Tai Po.

As of today, 21 people are affected.

Sixteen residents and five staff members, comprising nine men and 12 women aged from 43 to 99, developed symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, including fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat between December 10 and 28.

All of them had consulted doctors and three were admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital.

One of them has been discharged.

All of the affected are in stable condition.

CHP officials have conducted field visits to the institution and provided health advice to the staff.

To prevent respiratory tract infection, people are advised to adopt the following measures:
* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* Maintain good personal hygiene, wash hands after sneezing or coughing, and wear a mask when having symptoms of respiratory tract infection;
* Maintain good ventilation; and
* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.

People, particularly children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult doctors promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection.
-

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