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The following is issued by the Department of Health and Hospital Authority:

The Department of Health (DH) and Hospital Authority (HA) are following up an influenza-like-illness in a hostel at Lai King, where 16 residents, one family member and one of the staff have been taken to Princess Margaret Hospital between July 20 and today (July 24) for physical examination, observation and treatment. All the patients admitted are now in stable condition. At this point, no laboratory test has shown any positive result to SARS. DH staff visited the hostel for inspection, health screening, and health advice. Investigation by DH and HA is continuing.

The DH advises the public to take due hygiene precautions against influenza and other respiratory illnesses. DH's sentinel surveillance system showed that influenza activity in the community has picked up since June 2003.

End/Thursday, July 24, 2003

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