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An inter-departmental communication exercise was held today (November 24) to review Hong Kong's response to a situation of a human case of avian flu after returning from a fictitious Southeast Asian country with efficient human-to-human transmission.
The patient was a Hong Kong resident who developed flu symptoms after visiting the country where 41 people were confirmed to have been infected with avian flu.
After flying back to Hong Kong, the patient was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital and was later confirmed as being infected with avian flu H5N1.
Receiving notification from the Hospital Authority, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health immediately swung into action, starting epidemiological investigation and contact tracing for people in Hong Kong who had contacted the patient, which included passengers in the same flight, healthcare workers and patient contacts at the hospital as well as the patient's wife.
Through the media, the public were immediately alerted of the situation and reminded of the importance of personal hygiene.
Television and radio appeals were issued urging anyone who might have contacted the patient to come forward for medical check or call specially set-up hotlines.
A number of the patient's close contacts were located, using the Police Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support (MIIDAS) System. They were immediately put into confinement and under medical surveillance in order to contain the spread of the disease.
At the same time, in view of the detection of a local case and the confirmation by the World Health Organization (WHO) of human-to-human transmission in the region, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, activated the Emergency Response Level, in accordance with the Emergency Preparedness plan for Influenza Pandemic in Hong Kong.
The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, also convened a high level steering committee to give directive on the overall disease control strategy and decide on major stringent measures with a wider impact on the community.
Commenting on the exercise, Mr Tsang said: ˇ§Today's drill is one of our important preparatory measures. It tested our responsiveness in terms of efficiency and appropriateness in a worst case scenario. After today's experience, we will be able to respond to any outbreak in a more timely and appropriate manner.ˇ¨
Mr Tsang said Hong Kong remained free of avian flu despite outbreaks in Europe and Asia and stressed that Hong Kong was well prepared for a possible outbreak of the disease.
Briefing the media at the end of the exercise, the Director of Health, Dr PY Lam said the drill, with a particular focus on communication, was aimed at reviewing contingency plans for managing issues relating to an outbreak of avian influenza when the WHO announced efficient human-to-human transmission.
ˇ§It enables us to review procedures as set out in a document entitled ˇ§Framework of Government's Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemicˇ¨ issued by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau earlier this year.
ˇ§The adequacy of contingency operational protocols formulated by the departments and organisations concerned will be reviewed after the exercise,ˇ¨ Dr Lam said.
The exercise, code-named Poplar, was organised by the CHP in view of the global threat of flu pandemic and human cases of avian flu in neighbouring countries. More than 220 players from about 30 government departments and organisations took part.
Ends/Thursday, November 24, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:22
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