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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The United Christian Hospital (UCH) and Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (September 23) regarding two human swine influenza (HSI) fatal cases:
The patient at UCH is a 63-year-old woman with lung cancer. She developed flu symptoms on 17 September and was admitted to the isolation ward via the Accident and Emergency Department of UCH on 18 September. Human swine influenza was confirmed on the same day and patient was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. The clinical condition of the patient continued to deteriorate and she succumbed at 5.25 am today (23 September).
Another patient is a 34-year-old man with a history of Ankylosing Spondylitis who developed flu symptoms on 18 September. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of TMH on 19 September and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit on the same day. Human swine influenza was confirmed on 20 September. He was prescribed with Tamiflu, Relenza and antibiotics and was on ventilation support. His condition continued to deteriorate and he succumbed at 6.45 am today (23 September).
Both cases were reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and Centre for Health Protection, and will also be referred to the Coroner for follow up. The hospitals would like to express their condolences to the patients' families.
Ends/Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:48
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