17 Jun 2009
A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (June 17) said the department was investigating 54 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza (Influenza A H1N1). Thirteen of them are imported while 41 are local.
This brings to 172 the total number of human swine influenza (HSI) cases in Hong Kong.
The new cases involved 32 female and 22 male aged between three and 55. All of them are in stable condition and have been admitted to public hospitals for medical treatment.
Among them are 26 students of the Hong Kong Australian International School and the father of an affected student. This brings to 29 the total number of people affected in the cluster.
Meanwhile, a 16-year-old girl studying in ECF Saint Too Canaan College in Kwun Tong was confirmed to have infected with HSI. The school will suspend class for two weeks starting tomorrow.
A 29-year-old female nurse serving the Pediatric Ward of the United Christian Hospital (UCH) was confirmed to have infected with HSI. She has been admitted to UCH in stable condition.
DH is tracing close contacts of the patients.
In light of the development of HSI in Hong Kong, the spokesman noted that some disease control measures would be implemented tomorrow.
"The administration of directly observed chemoprophylaxis to or quarantine of close contacts of HSI patients will be stopped. Flight passengers in close contact with HSI patients will not be traced.
"Household contacts of confirmed patients will be put under medical surveillance and health advice will be provided," the spokesman said.