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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) verified with the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) today (April 17) seven human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Shanghai and four in Zhejiang.
The seven cases in Shanghai involve an 89-year-old man, a 47-year-old man and five lookback cases. The 89-year-old man is receiving treatment in hospital. His nine close contacts are asymptomatic so far.
The 47-year-old man is currently receiving treatment in hospital. As regards the five lookback cases, specimens of five patients were sent for laboratory testing in March and subsequently yielded positive for avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in the lookback diagnosis. Among these five lookback cases, three patients were recovered and two died. The 64 close contacts of these five patients and the 47-year-old man are asymptomatic so far.
The four cases in Zhejiang involve a woman aged 37 and three men aged 41, 74 and 86 respectively. They are receiving treatment in hospital.
As of 9pm today, a total of 82 cases have been laboratory confirmed with avian influenza A(H7N9) in Shanghai (31 cases), Jiangsu (20 cases), Zhejiang (25 cases), Anhui (three cases), Henan (two cases) and Beijing (one case).
A spokesman for the DH stressed that the CHP is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland health authorities for more case information as well as to keep a close eye on the latest advice from the World Health Organization.
The spokesman also reminded travellers, especially those returning from Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Henan and Beijing, with fever or respiratory symptoms to wear facial masks immediately, seek medical attention, and reveal their travel history to doctors. Healthcare professionals should also pay special attention to those who might have had contact with birds, poultry or their droppings in the affected areas.
"No human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) has been identified so far in Hong Kong," the spokesman reiterated.
"We would like to reassure the public that the Government will be as transparent as possible in the dissemination of information on human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9). Whenever there is a suspected case, the CHP will release information to the public as soon as possible," the spokesman added.
"According to the latest risk assessment by the NHFPC, the human infection of the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus is of avian origin and people are mainly infected through exposure to infected poultry or its contaminated environment. Contact with infected poultry or visiting wet markets with live poultry are hence important risk factors of human infection of the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus," the spokesman said.
He urged travellers not to visit wet markets with live poultry in the affected areas and avoid direct contact with poultry, birds or their droppings. If contacts have been made, they should thoroughly wash hands with soap and water.
Members of the public should remain vigilant and are reminded to take heed of the following preventive advice against avian influenza:
* Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating;
* Wash hands frequently with soap, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, handling food or eating, after going to toilet, touching public installations or equipment such as escalator handrails, elevator control panels or door knobs, or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
* Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with tissue and put it into covered dustbins;
* Avoid crowded places and contact with fever patients; and
* Wear a mask when respiratory symptoms develop or you need to take care of fever patients.
The public may visit the Avian Influenza page of the CHP (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/24244.html) for further information.
Ends/Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Issued at HKT 22:30
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