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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 of Pok Oi Hospital (POH) made the following update today (March 14):
In the process of strengthening infection control measures through the screening of required patients, the test result of a 52-year-old asymptomatic patient was found positive for Human Metapneumovirus. The patient concerned is being managed 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 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 case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Thursday, March 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:01
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