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Preventive measures being taken by various parties against avian flu, and the latest situation, were reviewed at an inter-departmental meeting today (December 10).
The meeting was convened by the Centre for Health (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) and attended by representatives from the Food and Health Bureau (FHB), Hospital Authority (HA), Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).
Speaking after the meeting, CHP¡¦s Consultant, Dr S K Chuang, said that CHP had earlier received notifications of two human cases of avian flu from the Ministry of Health (MoH) of China.
¡§CHP is liaising with MoH to follow up on the two cases, including the possible sources of infection and the mode of transmission.¡¨ she said.
Family clusters of H5 infections have been reported before in Indonesia and Vietnam. Direct transmission from an infected poultry source could still explain some of these cases, while inefficient human to human transmission due to close contact with an infected person cannot be entirely ruled out.
During the meeting, participating government bureaus, departments, and the Hospital Authority reviewed the latest avian flu situation and agreed to strengthen preventive and surveillance measures in a number of areas.
The Department of Health has alerted the aviation and travel industries regarding the latest situation in Jiangsu. Relevant airlines are requested to distribute health information leaflet to outbound travellers going to Jiangsu. For aircraft coming from Jiangsu, health announcement would be made on board the aircraft. Health information leaflets are also being distributed to travellers at sea and land immigration control points.
The department has continued to maintain temperature screening for in-bound travellers at all immigration control points. Travellers who are symptomatic and have a history of possible exposure to the avian flu virus would be referred to hospitals for follow up.
CHP is liaising with the Hospital Authority and private hospitals to set up enhanced pneumonia surveillance for H5 virus, targeting passengers arriving from Jiangsu with signs and symptoms of pneumonia.
CHP will issue letters to doctors updating them on the avian flu situation and putting them on the alert to report suspected cases.
On the publicity front, CHP will intensify a community education campaign against avian flu via television, radio and other channels during the winter season.
Surveillance and monitoring of local chicken farms will be maintained. AFCD has reminded all livestock farmers to immediately report the presence of sick and dead birds for collection and laboratory examination and adhere strictly to enforcing farm biosecurity measures.
The regulation to ban backyard poultry keeping has been operating since February 13, 2006, to further reduce the risk of an avian influenza outbreak in Hong Kong. Inspection of pet bird gardens will be stepped up.
FEHD has been conducting and monitoring imported live poultry for H5 avian influenza.
The meeting noted that concerted efforts from all sectors of the society were important in guarding against avian influenza. Members of the public are urged to stay vigilant and strictly observe personal and environmental hygiene.
People are advised to:
Stay away from dead birds, avoid direct contact with poultry and birds or their droppings; if contacts have been made, they should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water;
Not to feed or release wild birds, and surrender their pet birds to Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's animal management centres for disposal if they no longer want to keep pet birds.
Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating;
Maintain good cough manners to prevent transmission of the virus through droplet;
Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing; dispose of soiled tissue paper properly; wash hands properly when they are contaminated by respiratory secretions; and put on a surgical mask when there are symptoms of respiratory infection 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.
More information on the preventive measures against avian influenza can be found in the website of CHP (http://www.chp.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, December 10, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:25
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