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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding a male infirmary ward at Pok Oi Hospital (POH) in which some patients had been confirmed with Human Metapneumovirus and a male long stay ward in Castle Peak Hospital (CPH) in which some patients had been confirmed with Influenza A recently, the spokesperson for New Territories West Cluster (NTWC) made the following update today (March 2):
One more 74-year-old patient in the concerned POH ward had presented with fever and respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patient and the test results is pending. The patient is being treated under isolation and is in stable condition.
Human Metapneumovirus infection most commonly occurs in late winter and early spring. The virus was first reported in Netherlands in 2001. Human Metapneumovirus is a single-stranded RNA virus and belongs to Paramyxoviridae family, which includes Parainfluenza Virus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus. The spokesperson stressed that it is neither SARS nor novel coronavirus.
In addition, three more patients (aged 25 to 57) in the concerned CPH ward had presented with respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests had been arranged for the patients and their test results were positive to Influenza A. The patients are being treated under isolation and are in stable condition.
Admission to the wards 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 wards 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/Saturday, March 2, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:25
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