22 July 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 22) called on people to take precautionary measures against seasonal influenza infection.
A CHP spokesman said the latest surveillance data showed a gradual increase in the number of influenza isolates in recent weeks.
The Public Health Laboratory Centre (PHLC) of the CHP recorded 98 influenza detections for the week ending July 17 as compared with 47 influenza detections for the week ending July 3 and 73 for the week ending July 10.
"Influenza viruses isolated last week are mainly human swine influenza (39%), seasonal influenza B (33%) or seasonal influenza A (H3N2) (27%)," the spokesman said.
The consultation rates for influenza-like illness (ILI) in sentinel private doctors and general out-patients clinics for the week ending July 17 were 40.1 and 3.6 per 1000 consultations respectively. The corresponding figures for the previous week were 47.8 and 4.0 respectively.
There was an ILI outbreak affecting 13 persons in the same week while three outbreaks affecting 22 persons were recorded in the previous week.
CHP is closely monitoring the situation. Historically, the summer influenza season in Hong Kong tends to occur in July and August.
The public are reminded to take the following measures to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
* To build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* To maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* To wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
* To maintain good ventilation; and
* To avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.
People, particularly young children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult their doctors for medical advice promptly if they developed influenza-like symptoms.