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Press Release

CHP closely monitors seven additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Mainland

13 February 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is closely monitoring, as of yesterday (February 12), seven additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Zhaoqing (one case), Guangzhou (two cases), Hunan (one case) and Zhejiang (three cases) according to the latest reports of the Mainland health authorities.

The case in Zhaoqing involves a boy aged 8 while the two cases in Guangzhou involve two men aged 46 and 65. The case in Hunan is a man aged 19 and the three cases in Zhejiang are three men aged 46, 58 and 84 respectively. All of the patients are hospitalised for treatment.

As of yesterday, a total of 338 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been confirmed in the Mainland, including Zhejiang (135 cases), Guangdong (64 cases), Shanghai (41 cases), Jiangsu (40 cases), Fujian (20 cases), Hunan (11 cases), Anhui (six cases), Jiangxi (six cases), Beijing (four cases), Henan (four cases), Guangxi (three cases), Shandong (two cases), Guizhou (one case, imported from Zhejiang) and Hebei (one case).

"Locally, enhanced disease surveillance, port health measures and health education against avian influenza are ongoing. We will remain vigilant and maintain liaison with the World Health Organization (WHO) and relevant health authorities. Local surveillance activities will be modified upon the WHO's recommendations," a spokesman for the DH remarked.

"In view of human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) confirmed in Hong Kong and multiple cases notified by the Mainland, the activity of the virus is expected to be higher in the winter season. Those planning to travel outside Hong Kong should maintain good personal, environmental and food hygiene at all times," the spokesman urged.

"All boundary control points have implemented disease prevention and control measures. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks of inbound travellers. Random temperature checks by handheld devices have also been arranged. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up investigation," the spokesman added.

Regarding health education for travellers, distribution of pamphlets, display of posters in departure and arrival halls, in-flight public announcements, environmental health inspection and provision of regular updates to the travel industry via meetings and correspondence are all proceeding.

The spokesman advised travellers, especially those returning from avian influenza-affected areas and provinces with fever or respiratory symptoms, to immediately wear masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors. Health-care professionals should pay special attention to patients who might have had contact with poultry, birds or their droppings in affected areas and provinces.

Members of the public should remain vigilant and take heed of the preventive advice against avian influenza below:

The public may visit the CHP's avian influenza page (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/24244.html) and website (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/global_statistics_avian_influenza_e.pdf) for more information on avian influenza-affected areas and provinces.

Last Revision Date : 13 Feb 2014