25 Sep 2009
Starting next Monday (September 28), the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health will adopt a series of surveillance indicators for human swine influenza (HSI) to be reported weekly, a CHP spokesman said today (September 25).
The indicators include the percentage tested positive for HSI among patients in Designated Flu Clinics (DFC), the number of DFC attendances for influenza-like-illness (ILI) and the consultation rates of ILI at sentinel private doctors' clinics.
"Latest laboratory surveillance data reveals that HSI is the predominant influenza virus strain circulating in Hong Kong, representing over 80 percent of all circulating influenza viruses.
"Over 60 percent of patients with ILI attending DFC are tested positive to HSI.
"At this stage of HSI pandemic, the number of laboratory confirmed cases is no longer a useful surveillance indicator," the spokesman said.
World Health Organization recommends that for countries already experiencing community-wide transmission, the focus of surveillance activities may shift to reporting against the established indicators for the monitoring of seasonal influenza activity.
The spokesman said the new weekly reporting of surveillance indicators will replace the current daily reporting of laboratory confirmed cases.
CHP and Hospital Authority will continue to report daily information of ILI outbreaks in schools and fatal / severe cases, he said.
Latest influenza situation will be published weekly at CHP's website at www.chp.gov.hk under "Swine and Seasonal Flu Monitor".