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A spokesman for the Department of Health said there had been 271 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza (Influenza A H1N1) in the 24 hours to 2.30pm today (August 23).
The new cases involve 137 males and 134 females, aged between eight months and 86 years.
This brings to 9,105 the total number of human swine influenza (HSI) cases in Hong Kong.
The spokesman said that the total number of HSI cases might be revised according to further laboratory results.
Meanwhile, DH is investigating a confirmed HSI case involving a 10-year-old boy studying in a special school with residential care in Tai Po.
The boy was admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital on August 20 and then transferred to the intensive care unit of Prince of Wales Hospital on August 22. His condition is critical.
A respiratory specimen taken from him by the hospital tested positive for HSI.
Two other boys, aged nine and 10, studying in the same residential school, were also tested positive for HSI earlier. Both of them are hospitalised. They are in stable condition.
The spokesman said the department had visited the school and offered Tamiflu to the close contacts as antiviral chemoprophylaxis.
Ends/Sunday, August 23, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:00
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