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In response to media enquiries, a spokesman of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 5) said that laboratory test on the specimens collected from a 10-year-old boy admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital earlier with fever yielded negative results to H5, the virus that could cause human avian influenza.
The spokesman reminded people to remain vigilant against avian influenza infection and to observe the following measures:
ĦE Avoid direct contact with poultry and birds or their droppings; if contact has been made, they should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water;
ĦE Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating;
ĦE Wash hands frequently;
ĦE Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with tissue and put it into covered dustbins;
ĦE Avoid crowded places and contact with sick people with fever;
ĦE Wear a mask when you have respiratory symptoms or need to take care of patients with fever;
ĦE When you have fever and influenza-like illnesses during a trip or when coming back to Hong Kong, you should consult doctors promptly and reveal your travel history.
For further information on avian influenza, please visit the CHP website: http://www.chp.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, March 5, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:57
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