Commonground
Senior Moderator
Health Bureau Department of Health
July 2024
I. INTRODUCTION
An influenza pandemic is a global spread of disease caused by a
novel influenza virus against which the human population has low or no
immunity. The pandemic may not necessarily be caused by avian
influenza virus, as seen from the human swine influenza pandemic in
2009.
2. This document sets out the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region Government’s preparedness and response plan in case of an
influenza pandemic. It defines the response levels, the corresponding
command structures to be set up, and measures to be taken having
regard to the development of the pandemic situation at each response
level. Relevant agencies, companies and organisations should take note
of this plan in devising their contingency plans and response measures.
3. This plan was updated in 2024 and has included the following key
features –
(a) three response levels, each representing a graded risk of the
pandemic affecting Hong Kong and its health impact on the
community;
(b) examples of possible scenario depicting each response level;
(c) the standing down mechanism for each response level; and
(d) fine-tuned response measures based on the latest practical experience.
II.THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE SYSTEMS
4. The government’s plan includes three response levels – Alert,
Serious and Emergency. These response levels are based on risk
assessment of an influenza pandemic that may affect Hong Kong and its
health impact on the community. Key factors to be considered in the
risk assessment include –
(a) transmissibility of the infection, such as evidence of human-to-
human transmission capable of sustaining community level
outbreaks;
(b) geographical spread of the disease in humans or animals, such
as the global distribution of affected areas, the volume of trade
and travel between the affected areas and Hong Kong;
(c) clinical severity of the illness, such as
serious complications, hospitalisations and deaths;
(d) vulnerability of the population, including pre-existing
immunity, target groups with higher attack rates or increased
risk of serious disease;
(e) availability of preventive measures, such as vaccine and
antiviral agents; and
(f) recommendations by international health authorities, such as the
World Health Organization (“WHO”).
5. The assessment of risk is based on the prevailing situation. It
should be noted that information available at the beginning of a
pandemic is often limited. As the pandemic progresses, crucial
information to support assessment of the aforementioned factors, such
as the population at increased risk, case fatality ratio, complication rate,
reproductive number and other transmission characteristics, will
gradually come to light. The government will review the risk
assessment from time to time, having regard to the development of
scientific knowledge and evolving situation, to ensure that the
appropriate response level is activated and corresponding measures are
adopted.
Continued (32 pages). https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/erib_preparedness_plan_for_influenza_pandemic_2014_eng.pdf
July 2024
I. INTRODUCTION
An influenza pandemic is a global spread of disease caused by a
novel influenza virus against which the human population has low or no
immunity. The pandemic may not necessarily be caused by avian
influenza virus, as seen from the human swine influenza pandemic in
2009.
2. This document sets out the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region Government’s preparedness and response plan in case of an
influenza pandemic. It defines the response levels, the corresponding
command structures to be set up, and measures to be taken having
regard to the development of the pandemic situation at each response
level. Relevant agencies, companies and organisations should take note
of this plan in devising their contingency plans and response measures.
3. This plan was updated in 2024 and has included the following key
features –
(a) three response levels, each representing a graded risk of the
pandemic affecting Hong Kong and its health impact on the
community;
(b) examples of possible scenario depicting each response level;
(c) the standing down mechanism for each response level; and
(d) fine-tuned response measures based on the latest practical experience.
II.THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE SYSTEMS
4. The government’s plan includes three response levels – Alert,
Serious and Emergency. These response levels are based on risk
assessment of an influenza pandemic that may affect Hong Kong and its
health impact on the community. Key factors to be considered in the
risk assessment include –
(a) transmissibility of the infection, such as evidence of human-to-
human transmission capable of sustaining community level
outbreaks;
(b) geographical spread of the disease in humans or animals, such
as the global distribution of affected areas, the volume of trade
and travel between the affected areas and Hong Kong;
(c) clinical severity of the illness, such as
serious complications, hospitalisations and deaths;
(d) vulnerability of the population, including pre-existing
immunity, target groups with higher attack rates or increased
risk of serious disease;
(e) availability of preventive measures, such as vaccine and
antiviral agents; and
(f) recommendations by international health authorities, such as the
World Health Organization (“WHO”).
5. The assessment of risk is based on the prevailing situation. It
should be noted that information available at the beginning of a
pandemic is often limited. As the pandemic progresses, crucial
information to support assessment of the aforementioned factors, such
as the population at increased risk, case fatality ratio, complication rate,
reproductive number and other transmission characteristics, will
gradually come to light. The government will review the risk
assessment from time to time, having regard to the development of
scientific knowledge and evolving situation, to ensure that the
appropriate response level is activated and corresponding measures are
adopted.
Continued (32 pages). https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/erib_preparedness_plan_for_influenza_pandemic_2014_eng.pdf