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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 (POH) gave the following update today (March 12):
Two more patients (aged 53 and 80) in the ward were found to have fever. Appropriate viral tests have been arranged for the patients and the test results were positive to Human Metapneumovirus. In addition, in the process of strengthening infection control measures, the hospital has confirmed the test results of three other asymptomatic patients (aged 27 to 61) to be positive to Human Metapneumovirus. The patients concerned are being managed under isolation and are in 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 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/Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:04
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