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# 6350
We are just now starting to get details, but it appears that a 2-year-old boy from neighboring Guangdong Province is being treated in a Hong Kong hospital for H5 avian influenza, and as a result the Centre for Health Protection has raised their pandemic response level from `Alert’ to `Serious’.
Two reports out of Hong Kong, first detailing the case, and the second with details on the initial response.
Boy infected with H5 in stable condition
The serious response level under the Government's Preparedness Plan for influenza pandemic was activated today (June 1) as the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) investigated a case of influenza A H5 infection affecting a two-year-old boy.
The patient developed fever and runny nose on May 23 in Guangdong province. He came to Hong Kong on May 26 and sought medical attention from a private medical clinic in Mong Kok. Subsequently, he developed febrile convulsion and was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre on May 28. He was admitted for suspected encephalitis. He is now in stable condition.
A spokesman for the CHP said that the nasopharyngeal aspirate taken from the boy tested positive for Influenza A (H5). Further studies on the virus were in progress.
Investigation revealed that the patient lived in Guangdong province with his parents and maternal grandmother. His exposure history during incubation period is pending.
His home contacts were asymptomatic.
A telephone hotline, 2125 1111, has been set up to answer public enquiries from tomorrow (June 2). The hotline will be operated from 9am to 6pm.
"The CHP is also closely liaising with the Mainland authorities and the Hospital Authority to monitor the situation," the spokesman said.
He advised members of the public that the best way to combat influenza infection was to build up body resistance by having a proper diet with adequate exercise and rest.
"Good ventilation should be maintained to avoid the spread of respiratory tract infection.
"Members of the public should seek medical consultation promptly if they develop influenza-like illness.
"Members of the public should also avoid direct contact with poultry and birds, and if contacts have been made, they should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, June 1, 2012
Issued at HKT 23:36
The second press release concerns the raising of the alert level.
Serious Response Level activated in public hospitals
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesman announced today (June 2) the activation of Serious Response Level in public hospitals to tie in with the Government's raising the response level for avian influenza from "Alert" to "Serious".
The HA spokesman said hospital staff at Accident & Emergency Departments and general outpatient clinics was reminded to be vigilant to patients. Triage assessment and appropriate segregation at waiting areas would be arranged.
Under the Serious Response Level, more stringent infection control measures will be enforced in public hospitals, which include no visiting at isolation wards unless on compassionate ground. For all acute hospitals, visiting hours would be not more than 2 hours per day and not more than 2 visitors per visit, and not more than 4 hours per day for all convalescent hospitals. Volunteering service in hospitals would be suspended under "Serious" Level. Visitors to public hospitals and clinics are advised to put on surgical masks if they have respiratory infection symptoms and perform hand hygiene before and after visiting patient areas.
According to the spokesman, HA would continue to work closely with Centre for Health Protection in monitoring the latest situation and keep the general public as well as health care workers updated of the development on a regular basis.
Ends/Saturday, June 2, 2012
Issued at HKT 00:39
The good news, of course, is there is probably no place in the world more vigilant - or better able to respond – to any H5 outbreak than Hong Kong.
We’ll obviously be watching this story closely over the next several days.
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