***********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding the recent confirmation of a cluster of patients with human metapneumovirus in a male infirmary ward, the spokesperson for Pok Oi Hospital gave the following update today (February 27):
Two more male patients (aged 62 and 67) in the ward have presented with fever and respiratory symptoms. The patients underwent appropriate viral tests. The test result of one of the patients was positive for human metapneumovirus, while the result for the other patient is pending. The concerned patients are being treated under isolation and are in a stable condition.
Human metapneumovirus infection most commonly occurs in late winter and early spring. The virus was first reported in the Netherlands in 2001. Human metapneumovirus is a single stranded RNA virus belonging to the paramyxoviridae family, which includes the parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus. The spokesperson stressed that it is neither SARS nor the novel coronavirus.
Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting is being imposed. Infection control measures have been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
The cases have been reported to Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow up.
Ends/Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:45
NNNN
