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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is liaising closely with the Hospital Authority in the investigation of a cluster of patients who developed fever and respiratory symptoms earlier this week. The cases involve four female in-patients and a staff member of a ward of Prince of Wales Hospital.

Three of the in-patients, aged 49 to 76, and the staff member were reported to the CHP on January 18 while the fifth case, involving a 90-year-old woman, was notified today (January 21). The date of onset of the last case was January 19.

A specimen from one of the in-patients tested positive to adenovirus type 1 by the department's Public Health Laboratory Centre. So far tests for other viruses, including SARS coronavirus, have been negative.

The four affected in-patients are now in a stable condition. Three of them were being treated in isolation wards and the other one was discharged today. The staff member has recovered.

The CHP has interviewed and provided health advice on personal hygiene and environmental hygiene to 92 exposed patients and their visitors. None of them developed compatible symptoms.

Further laboratory tests are being conducted.

Ends/Friday, January 21, 2005

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