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Upon the confirmation of a human avian influenza case in Guangdong, the Hospital Authority (HA) today (March 6) announces that it will implement the recommendations made by the Central Committee on Infectious Disease (CCID) during an urgent meeting held on March 4, 2006.
Experts in microbiology, pathology, paediatrics, family medicine, accident & emergency services discussed in details the HA Infection Control Plan for Avian Influenza in view of the latest situation. The CCID also recommended a three-week enhanced surveillance programme from March 8, 2006 as follows:
* Public hospitals should report to the e-Flu system of HA all patients fulfilling the case definition of having pneumonia (all types) of unidentified etiology and travel history to affected areas/ countries with confirmed human cases of avian influenza infection in the past six months, within 7 days before symptoms onset.
* The laboratory network including Princess Margaret Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, Tuen Mun Hospital and the Public Health Laboratory Centre of the Department of Health will participate in the enhanced surveillance programme to provide rapid test for avian influenza.
* This special enhanced surveillance programme will be reviewed in three weeks' time.
* Meanwhile, all infection control measures under current Yellow Alert are still in effect.
The HA will continue to co-operate with the Centre for Health Protection to keep the general public and professionals posted of the most updated situation and relevant information.
Ends/Monday, March 6, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:01
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