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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) received notification from Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) today (May 31) of a suspected case of severe respiratory disease associated with novel coronavirus affecting a 42-year-old woman whose respiratory specimens tested negative for the virus.
The patient, with good past health, arrived in Hong Kong on May 25 from Zambia via Dubai. She presented with headache, malaise and mild cough yesterday (May 30) and today attended the Accident and Emergency Department of QEH, where she is currently under isolation and further management.
Her chest X-ray was clear and she has been in stable condition all along. She described no contact history with animals or patients during her trip. Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far.
Preliminary laboratory testing on the patient's nasopharyngeal swab and sputum by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP yielded negative results for Novel Coronavirus associated with Severe Respiratory Disease.
"The CHP will continue its surveillance mechanism with public and private hospitals, practising doctors and the airport for any suspected case of severe respiratory disease associated with novel coronavirus," a DH spokesman said.
"No human infection with this virus has been identified so far in Hong Kong," the spokesman stressed.
"We would like to reassure the public that the Government will be as transparent as possible in the dissemination of information on cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus. Whenever there is a suspected case, particularly involving patients with travel history to the Middle East and the affected areas, the CHP will release information to the public as soon as possible," the spokesman said.
In view of recent clusters reported in health-care facilities, health-care workers and hospitals are reminded to maintain vigilance against novel coronavirus and adhere to strict infection control measures while handling suspected cases in order to reduce the risk of transmission to other patients, health-care workers and visitors.
Health-care providers are also advised to be vigilant among recent travellers returning from novel coronavirus-affected areas who develop severe acute respiratory infections. Patients' lower respiratory tract specimens should also be obtained for diagnosis when possible. Doctors are reminded that novel coronavirus infection should be considered even with atypical signs and symptoms, such as diarrhoea, particularly in patients who are immunocompromised.
Travellers returning from novel coronavirus-affected areas with respiratory symptoms are advised to wear face masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors.
The spokesman reminded members of the public to take heed of personal hygiene:
* Wash hands before touching the eyes, nose and mouth;
* Wash hands before eating or handling food;
* Wash hands after using the toilet;
* Wash hands after sneezing or coughing and cleaning the nose; and
* Avoid direct contact with animals, birds or poultry.
Members of the public may visit the CHP's website for more information on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26511.html) or
personal hygiene (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/19899.html).
Ends/Friday, May 31, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:50
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