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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received notification from the Ministry of Health (December 3) early this morning concerning a confirmed human case of avian influenza H5N1 in Jiangsu Province.
A CHP spokesman said the patient was a 24-year-old man who developed fever on November 24. He was admitted to a hospital in Jiangsu Province on November 27 and died on December 2. Laboratory tests on the patient's specimen by China's Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention yielded positive to H5N1.
It was reported that the man had no contact with sick or dead poultry before onset of symptoms. His close contacts had no symptoms of avian influenza.
The CHP is maintaining close liaison with the Ministry of Health to obtain more information on the case.
The spokesman reminded members of the public to remain vigilant against avian influenza infection and to observe the following measures:
* Avoid direct contact with poultry and birds or their droppings; if contacts have been made, they should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water;
* Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating;
* Wash hands frequently;
* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with tissue and put it into covered dustbins;
* Avoid crowded places and contact with sick people with fever;
* Wear a mask when you have respiratory symptoms or need to take care of patients with fever;
* 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, December 3, 2007
Issued at HKT 08:20
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