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LC Urgent Q3: Prevention measures of influenza
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     Following is an urgent question by the Hon Andrew Leung under Rule 24(4) of the Rules of Procedure and a reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, in the Legislative Council today (February 4):

Question:

     Seasonal influenza is raging in Hong Kong, resulting in a death toll of dozens in a month, including some young and healthy people.  It has been reported that there have been successive institutional outbreaks of influenza in a number of schools, and the medical wards of public hospitals are grossly overloaded amid a worsening trend of rampant influenza epidemic.  Given the lower protection rate of the influenza vaccine being used this year and the new vaccine is expected to be available in sufficient numbers only by March or April, will the Government inform this Council of the immediate measures in place to prevent influenza from spreading in densely populated places (such as immigration control points before and after the Lunar New Year) and in institutions?

Reply:

President,

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) closely monitors influenza activity in the community through its surveillance systems covering childcare centres, residential care homes for the elderly, the Hospital Authority's out-patient clinics and Accident and Emergency Departments, and clinics of private practitioners and Chinese medicine practitioners.  Besides, CHP monitors the positive influenza detections among respiratory specimens received by its Public Health Laboratory Services Branch.

     Regarding prevention and control measures in the community, the CHP has produced a variety of publicity materials on the prevention of influenza to disseminate to the public through channels of television, radio and printed media.  Various publicity and health education channels e.g. websites and health education hotline have also been deployed for promulgation of health advice.  The CHP has also widely distributed the health education materials in public and private housing estates, health care settings, schools, non-governmental organisations, etc.  The main message which is so important that I need to reiterate is to advise the public to maintain healthy lifestyle, good personal and environmental hygiene. People should put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop to avoid spreading the infections to others.  Members of the public are advised to avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places when influenza is prevalent. Over the past few days, I repeatedly reminded low immunity high risk groups, such as chronic patients to consider wearing a surgical mask especially when staying in these places.

     Moreover, the CHP will maintain close liaison with the stakeholder and keep them updated of the latest developments of influenza.

     For port health measures and public education efforts at boundary control points (BCPs), the Department of Health (DH) has already reminded relevant departments to regularly inspect and replenish the alcohol-based handrub at BCPs.  Moreover, the DH has been carrying out health screening at different BCPs, and patients will be transferred to medical institutions for follow-up if their cases fall within the reporting criteria of suspected infectious diseases including influenza.  Through press releases and announcements, the DH advises travellers who come from affected areas to Hong Kong to wear a surgical mask and seek medical examination if they present symptoms of respiratory diseases.  They should also inform the doctors of their travel and contact history.

     As regards institutional and school outbreaks of influenza, the CHP requires the institutions and schools to report to the CHP if there is any outbreak involving a certain number of cases. The CHP will then conduct prompt epidemiological investigations, implement necessary public health control measures and provide appropriate health advice to the institutions or schools concerned. Following field investigations, the CHP will continue to closely monitor the institutions or schools to ascertain that the outbreak of influenza is under control on the following few days.

Ends/Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:51

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