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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 made the following update today (February 28):
One more 32-year-old patient and a staff member in the ward had presented with fever and respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patient and the test result was positive for Human Metapneumovirus. The patient concerned is being treated under isolation and is in stable condition. The staff member concerned is on sick leave.
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 and belongs to the paramyxoviridae family, which includes Parainfluenza Virus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus. The spokesperson stressed that it is neither SARS nor novel coronavirus.
Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting is being imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Thursday, February 28, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:03
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