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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding the report of outbreaks of avian influenza among ducks in Guangdong Province, the Hospital Authority (HA) spokesman issued the following statement today (September 17):
Public hospitals have been in the Alert Response Level under the Contingency Plan for Influenza Pandemic. Hospital staff had been reminded to be vigilant for suspected cases of avian influenza with respect to report of outbreaks among ducks in Guangdong province. Public hospitals are also reminded to remain vigilant and to stringently adhere to infection control measures.
HA will continue to maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor and update on the latest development. Members of the public are also reminded to stay alert on personal hygiene and avoid direct contact with live poultry.
In accordance with the "Guideline on Management Approach of Influenza-like-illness (ILI) & Community-acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Suspected of Avian Influenza", frontline hospital staff would look out for patients' epidemiological link to avian influenza, among others, history of recent travel (seven days) outside Hong Kong with history of visiting poultry farm / zoo / wild birds in areas known to have outbreaks of Avian Influenza A(H5)(H7)(H9).
In view of the forthcoming peak in seasonal influenza, the HA will start to provide influenza vaccination from early November this year, under the Government Influenza Vaccination Programme for 2007/08, to targeted inpatients and eligible persons in the community.
Ends/Monday, September 17, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:31
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