19 March 2016
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 19) reported an update on the second imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Hong Kong this year.
The 81-year-old female patient is still under isolation and management in the Hospital Authority Infectious Disease Centre in Princess Margaret Hospital. She remains in stable condition.
Epidemiological investigations by the CHP have so far identified 11 close contacts and 56 other contacts of the patient.
A. Close contacts
According to the management of close contacts recommended by the CHP's Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases which came into effect in March 2015, based on risk assessment, antiviral prophylaxis with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) will be given to close contacts for five days and they will be put under medical surveillance for 10 days after the last exposure to the patient.
The 11 close contacts comprise: