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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority today (October 12) announced a fatal case of human swine influenza and four new critical cases.
A 79-year-old male patient with a history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension developed flu symptoms and was admitted to the medical ward via the Accident & Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital on October 3. He was given Tamiflu and antibiotics on the same day. The condition of the patient deteriorated on October 5 and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment with mechanical ventilatory support. Positive result for human swine influenza was confirmed on October 6. The patient was certified dead last night (October 11) at 7.36pm.
The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection. The hospital would like to express its condolences to the deceased's family.
The four new critical cases announced today are a 47-year-old female patient with asthma in Prince of Wales Hospital, a 45-year-old male patient with nasopharyngeal cancer in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, a 36-year-old female patient with bronchiectasis in United Christian Hospital, and a 14-year-old female patient with cerebral palsy in Tuen Mun Hospital. They developed influenza symptoms between October 3 and 10 and were admitted to the hospitals for treatment. Their test results for human swine influenza were subsequently confirmed and they were prescribed with Tamiflu and are on ventilation support. The hospitals will closely monitor their condition.
Ends/Monday, October 12, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:45
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