kiwibird
Editor, Senior Moderator
FLU OUTBREAK
Ng Yuk-hang and Ella Lee
Jul 16, 2009
Two people have developed severe complications after contracting the swine flu virus, prompting a leading medical expert to issue a stern warning that it would be a "clear mistake" if the government treated the new disease like seasonal flu.
The Centre for Health Protection confirmed 78 new swine flu cases yesterday, taking the total to 1,467. Fifteen patients were still in hospital.
A 34-year-old man, who developed fever and flu symptoms last Thursday, was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on Saturday for isolation. His condition became serious yesterday.
A 48-year-old woman, a smoker, was in critical condition and on a respirator in intensive care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Preliminary tests confirmed she had swine flu. She developed flu symptoms last Thursday and was admitted to hospital yesterday suffering from fever, shortness of breath and a cough.
Neither patient has any underlying diseases.
Yuen Kwok-yung, head of microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, said last night that Hong Kong would see more severe swine flu cases and even deaths as the community outbreaks continued. Professor Yuen said swine flu was more virulent than seasonal flu. "It will be a clear mistake if the government treats it like a seasonal flu," he said.
Overseas studies have found that the A(H1N1) virus, which causes swine flu, multiplies more effectively in the lungs than the ordinary flu virus.
"The fact that the swine flu has killed some very healthy people in other places has shown that it is more virulent than the seasonal flu. What makes swine flu more dangerous is that most people have no immunity against it and an effective vaccine is not available yet," Professor Yuen said. His comments came after some medical experts in Hong Kong suggested that the government should treat swine flu similar to seasonal flu.
The government is expected to announce swine flu policies for schools by Monday.
Sources said the government would adopt the seasonal flu guidelines when schools resume classes after the summer holiday.
Professor Yuen said some extra steps should be taken in the new school year.
"School precautionary measures should be more stringent than those used during seasonal flu outbreaks. For example, students should keep good hand hygiene by using an alcohol rub every time they go in and out of classrooms," he said.
The Centre for Health Protection said 16 people might be infected following an outbreak at a residential shelter workshop for physically and mentally disabled people in Shau Kei Wan.
A 22-year-old male resident, who developed symptoms on Monday, was confirmed yesterday with swine flu. He was in stable condition.
Test results were pending for five daytime workers, four residents and seven staff members, comprising eight men and eight women aged between 22 and 47, who all showed flu symptoms.
University of Hong Kong microbiologist Ho Pak-leung said the government should prepare to collect antibodies from recovered swine flu patients as an alternative to antiviral treatment.
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCM...0VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=Hong+Kong&s=News
IMO - Clear and timely reporting from Hong Kong.
Ng Yuk-hang and Ella Lee
Jul 16, 2009
Two people have developed severe complications after contracting the swine flu virus, prompting a leading medical expert to issue a stern warning that it would be a "clear mistake" if the government treated the new disease like seasonal flu.
The Centre for Health Protection confirmed 78 new swine flu cases yesterday, taking the total to 1,467. Fifteen patients were still in hospital.
A 34-year-old man, who developed fever and flu symptoms last Thursday, was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on Saturday for isolation. His condition became serious yesterday.
A 48-year-old woman, a smoker, was in critical condition and on a respirator in intensive care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Preliminary tests confirmed she had swine flu. She developed flu symptoms last Thursday and was admitted to hospital yesterday suffering from fever, shortness of breath and a cough.
Neither patient has any underlying diseases.
Yuen Kwok-yung, head of microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, said last night that Hong Kong would see more severe swine flu cases and even deaths as the community outbreaks continued. Professor Yuen said swine flu was more virulent than seasonal flu. "It will be a clear mistake if the government treats it like a seasonal flu," he said.
Overseas studies have found that the A(H1N1) virus, which causes swine flu, multiplies more effectively in the lungs than the ordinary flu virus.
"The fact that the swine flu has killed some very healthy people in other places has shown that it is more virulent than the seasonal flu. What makes swine flu more dangerous is that most people have no immunity against it and an effective vaccine is not available yet," Professor Yuen said. His comments came after some medical experts in Hong Kong suggested that the government should treat swine flu similar to seasonal flu.
The government is expected to announce swine flu policies for schools by Monday.
Sources said the government would adopt the seasonal flu guidelines when schools resume classes after the summer holiday.
Professor Yuen said some extra steps should be taken in the new school year.
"School precautionary measures should be more stringent than those used during seasonal flu outbreaks. For example, students should keep good hand hygiene by using an alcohol rub every time they go in and out of classrooms," he said.
The Centre for Health Protection said 16 people might be infected following an outbreak at a residential shelter workshop for physically and mentally disabled people in Shau Kei Wan.
A 22-year-old male resident, who developed symptoms on Monday, was confirmed yesterday with swine flu. He was in stable condition.
Test results were pending for five daytime workers, four residents and seven staff members, comprising eight men and eight women aged between 22 and 47, who all showed flu symptoms.
University of Hong Kong microbiologist Ho Pak-leung said the government should prepare to collect antibodies from recovered swine flu patients as an alternative to antiviral treatment.
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCM...0VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=Hong+Kong&s=News
IMO - Clear and timely reporting from Hong Kong.
