********************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 16) called on members of the public to take precautionary measures against respiratory tract infections as its monitoring and sentinel surveillance systems indicated that Hong Kong is entering the summer influenza season.
A CHP spokesman said the sentinel surveillance networks among private doctors and the Government Out-patient Clinics (GOPCs) had detected an increase of influenza-like illness in the community in the past two weeks.
During the two weeks ending June 3 and 10 respectively, consultation rates for influenza-like illness in private doctors' clinics were 60 and 64.1 per 1,000 consultations, compared with 51 to 55 per 1,000 consultations in the previous four weeks.
At the GOPCs, the influenza-like illness consultation rates were at or above 6 per 1,000 consultations for two consecutive weeks ending June 10, compared with 3.6 to 4.6 in the previous four weeks.
Laboratory surveillance also found an increasing number of influenza virus detection recently. The predominant strain remains influenza A H1N1 (New Caledonia). The strain matches the vaccine strains recommended in the 2005/06 Government Influenza Vaccination Program (GIVP).
"Influenza occurs in Hong Kong throughout the year. It usually peaks in February and March, but may have a secondary peak during summer," the spokesman said.
The spokesman said influenza outbreaks in four institutions were confirmed in the week ending June 10. The CHP will issue a letter to all doctors, schools, kindergartens and child care centres regarding the recent situation.
"They will be reminded to inform the CHP if there is any unusual upsurge of influenza activity in schools, nurseries and kindergartens," he said.
The CHP will also advise the Education and Manpower Bureau as well as the Social Welfare Department to resume temperature checks in the institutions under their purview.
The spokesman called on members of the public to be vigilant against influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
To prevent influenza, people are advised:
* to build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* to wash hands after sneezing, coughing or blowing the nose;
* to maintain good ventilation;
* to avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.
Members of the public, particularly young children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult their doctors for medical advice promptly if they develop influenza-like symptoms.
Ends/Friday, June 16, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:50
NNNN
