CHP investigates imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9)
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The male patient, aged 75 with underlying illnesses, travelled to Changping, Dongguan alone on November 28 and attended a hospital there for chest discomfort on December 8. He returned to Hong Kong via Lo Wu on December 9 and was directly admitted to North District Hospital by ambulance for cough with sputum, shortness of breath, runny nose and chest discomfort. His nasopharyngeal swab tested positive for enterovirus/rhinovirus and negative for influenza virus upon testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB).
The patient subsequently developed fever on December 17 and the clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. His nasopharyngeal aspirate collected today was confirmed to be positive for influenza A(H7N9) virus by the PHLSB tonight. He is now in serious condition and is under isolation and further management.
The patient denied recent exposure to poultry or wet market.
His home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance. Tracing of his other contacts in Hong Kong, if any, is underway.
"The case will be notified to the World Health Organization and the national, Guangdong and Macau health authorities. We are communicating with the Mainland authority to follow up the patient's exposure and movements in the Mainland. Based on information available thus far, it is classified as an imported case. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.
"Recently, Guangdong reported the first human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in this winter. Human H7N9 cases have also been detected in Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Fujian while human H5N6 cases in Hunan and Guangxi since November. Locally, four faecal dropping samples of birds collected from Mai Po Nature Reserve in late November were detected with H5N6 virus. Our risk assessment shows that the activity of avian influenza viruses is expected to increase in winter based on their seasonal pattern," the spokesman said.
"The public should avoid touching birds, poultry or their droppings and visiting poultry markets or farms during travel, particularly in the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays. If feeling unwell such as fever or cough, wear a mask and seek medical advice at once. Travellers returning from affected areas should consult doctors promptly if symptoms develop and let them know your travel history," the spokesman added.
This is the 17th imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) confirmed in Hong Kong. From 2013 to date, 783 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities.
Letters to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions will be issued to alert them to the latest situation.
The CHP's Port Health Office conducts health surveillance measures at all boundary control points. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks on inbound travellers. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up.
The display of posters and broadcasting of health messages in departure and arrival halls as health education for travellers is underway. The travel industry and other stakeholders are regularly updated on the latest information.
The public should maintain strict personal, hand, food and environmental hygiene and take heed of advice below while handling poultry:
- When handling live chickens, do not touch them or their droppings. Do not blow at their bottoms. Wash eggs with detergent if soiled with faecal matter and cook and consume them immediately. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling chickens and eggs;
- Eggs should be cooked well until the white and yolk become firm. Do not eat raw eggs or dip cooked food into any sauce with raw eggs. Poultry should be cooked thoroughly. If there is pinkish juice running from the cooked poultry or the middle part of its bone is still red, the poultry should be cooked again until fully done;
- Wash hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, before handling food or eating, and 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; and
- Wear a mask if fever or respiratory symptoms develop, going to a hospital or clinic, or while taking caring of patients with fever or respiratory symptoms.
The public may visit the CHP's pages for more information: the avian influenza page, the weekly Avian Influenza Report, global statistics and affected areas of avian influenza, the Facebook Page and the YouTube Channel.
Ends/Monday, December 19, 2016
Issued at HKT 23:32
Issued at HKT 23:32
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