29 July 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 29) cautioned that the latest surveillance data had shown increasing influenza activity in recent weeks.
The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Centre recorded 125 influenza detections for the week ending July 24, compared with 98 influenza detections for the week ending July 17.
"Influenza virus isolates in last two weeks were mainly human swine influenza (40 per cent), seasonal influenza A (H3N2) (30 per cent) and seasonal influenza B (30 per cent)," a spokesman for CHP said.
The consultation rates for influenza-like illness (ILI) at sentinel private doctors for the week ending July 24 was 51.5 per 1,000 consultations. The corresponding figure for the preceding week was 40.1.
There were seven ILI outbreaks affecting 29 persons during the week ending July 24 while one outbreak affecting 13 persons were recorded in the previous week. Half of these outbreaks occurred in residential care homes for the elderly.
CHP is closely monitoring the situation. Historically, the summer influenza season in Hong Kong mostly occurs in July and August.
CHP will send letters to doctors and institutions reminding them to stay vigilant against seasonal influenza.
The public are reminded to take the following measures to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* Wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
* Maintain good indoor ventilation; and
* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.
Members of the public, particularly young children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult their doctors promptly if they develop influenza-like symptoms.