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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of United Christian Hospital (UCH) made the following announcement today (June 17) regarding the confirmed case of human swine influenza (HSI) of a nurse:
The nurse developed fever, cough, chills and rigor on June 16. She was admitted to the isolation ward for treatment via Accident and Emergency Department and has immediately taken Tamiflu medication treatment, her condition is stable. Our Pathology laboratory detected a positive result for Human Swine influenza on a respiratory sample of the nurse at noon of today (June 17). Centre of Health Protection confirmed the case tonight. The nurse has no travel history in the past 7 days. The home contacts of the staff are asymptomatic. We have provided psychological support to the concerned nurse and her family.
The nurse works in the Paediatric Isolation Ward. The Paediatric Isolation Ward is a fever triage ward for suspected and confirmed HSI case. The nurse follows the Hospital Authority Infection Control Guideline for patient care. She wears surgical masks, gloves and protective gown during routine care of patients under isolation. She wears full set of Personal Protective Equipment (including N95 respirator, face shields, gloves and protective gown) for high risk procedures.
UCH is now tracing the close contacts of the nurse including patients and clinical staff. UCH has informed Centre of Health Protection for necessary follow up action for possible source of infection.
Up to the present moment, no other staff has been found to be infected by HSI. We reassure the public that situation in hospitals is under control. We will continue to follow the Hospital Authority Infection Control Guideline and hygiene for patients and staff.
UCH held a staff forum tonight (June 17) to address staff concern and answer questions regarding the confirmed case, hosted by Hospital Chief Executive.
Ends/Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 23:06
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