Press Release

Influenza-like illness outbreak under CHP investigation

26 January 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 26) investigating an influenza-like illness outbreak at a residential care home for persons with disabilities (RCHD) in Sha Tin affecting 24 residents and three staff, and hence reminded members of the public and staff of institutions to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza.

The affected persons, comprising 14 men and 13 women aged 22 to 65, developed symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection including fever, cough and sore throat since January 13.

Twenty-four of them sought medical consultation and 12 of them required hospitalisation. All the affected persons are currently in a stable condition.

The nasopharyngeal aspirates taken from 10 affected persons tested positive for influenza A.

Officers of the CHP visited the RCHD and advised the management to adopt measures against respiratory tract infection.

The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:

• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When influenza is prevalent, avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

The public may visit the CHP's pages below for more information:

• The influenza page (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html);
• The weekly Flu Express report (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/2108.html);
• The vaccination schemes page (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html); and
• The list of participating doctors (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/34664.html).