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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 3) provided further updates on the Influenza A (H5N1) case involving a two-year-old boy.
The CHP's epidemiological investigation found that the boy had been to Anhui, China with parents from May 20 to 22, during which he had no direct poultry contact. He had visited a wet market with live poultry near his residence in Guangzhou in mid-May.
The boy is currently receiving isolation treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). His condition remained serious.
The CHP continued contact tracing work. Apart from the boy's parents, the CHP had traced contacts with the patient in the private medical clinic in Mong Kok, ambulance and Caritas Medical Centre (CMC), totalling around 80 people. Among them, two healthcare workers from CMC developed some respiratory symptoms and nasopharyngeal aspirates taken from them were tested negative for Influenza A (H5).
Earlier, laboratory tests of the boy's parents, two health care workers of the private clinic and another patient who attended the same clinic were all tested negative for Influenza A (H5).
The CHP has issued letters to doctors yesterday, reminding them to pay special attention to patients who have visited wet markets or had poultry contact in Guangzhou. They are also reminded to report any suspected H5 cases to the CHP.
As at noon today, a total of 10 public enquiries have been received on the DH hotline (2125 1111).
Investigation continues.
Ends/Sunday, June 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:54
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