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Press Release

Update of confirmed imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9)

23 February 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 23) reported the latest updates of the third confirmed imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Hong Kong this winter.

"We again urge the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel as the Serious Response Level under the Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic remains activated. If symptoms develop after travel, immediately wear masks, seek medical attention and reveal travel history to doctors," a spokesman for the CHP said.

Laboratory investigation

Both the nasopharyngeal and endotracheal aspirates of the male patient aged 61 tested positive for influenza A(H7N9) virus and negative for influenza A(H1) and (H3) viruses this morning upon preliminary testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. Genetic characterisation is under way.

"While the activity of avian influenza viruses in the Mainland and human seasonal influenza viruses in Hong Kong remains high this winter and heightened vigilance and extra attention to hygiene are warranted, we will closely monitor the virus activity and genetic nature. Genetic analysis to date has revealed that H7N9 viruses confirmed in Hong Kong have remained to be of avian origin and had no significant differences from those detected in the Mainland, nor has there been evidence of reassortment with genes from human seasonal influenza viruses or resistance to the antiviral oseltamivir (Tamiflu)," the spokesman said.

Epidemiological investigations and control

Epidemiological investigations by the CHP have so far located 10 close contacts and 16 other contacts of the patient.

(A) Close contacts

The close contacts will be put under quarantine and prescribed with antiviral presumptive treatment until the completion of the five-day treatment or 10 days since last exposure to the patient, whichever is earlier. They include:

The Lady MacLehose Holiday Village in Sai Kung under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will be converted to a quarantine centre for the quarantine of asymptomatic close contacts.

(B) Other contacts

The other contacts have been put under medical surveillance and they include:

Tracing of the health-care workers involved in QMH is under way.

The CHP is communicating with the health authorities of Guangdong and Shenzhen to follow up on the patient's movements and contacts during his stay in the Mainland. Based on information available thus far, it is classified as an imported case. Investigations are ongoing.

Enhanced surveillance

The CHP has enhanced surveillance of suspected cases in public and private hospitals, and activated an electronic reporting system to monitor cases in real time with the Hospital Authority. Clinicians should pay special attention to patients with fever or influenza-like illness who visited wet markets with live poultry or had contact with poultry in affected areas within the incubation period, i.e. 10 days before onset.

Letters to doctors, hospitals, kindergartens, child care centres and primary and secondary schools as well as residential care homes for the elderly and the disabled will be issued to alert them to the latest situation.

The case will be notified to the World Health Organization, the National Health and Family Planning Commission, the health authorities of Guangdong and Macau, and the quarantine authorities of Guangdong and Shenzhen.

"This is the 13th imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) confirmed in Hong Kong. To date, 582 cases have been reported by the Mainland health authorities since March 2013 while seven were reported in Taiwan (four cases), Canada (two cases) and Malaysia (one case). Cases in the Mainland are on the rise this winter and 142 cases with onsets since November 2014 were reported with 62 of them (42 per cent) from Guangdong. The remaining cases are from Fujian (36 cases), Zhejiang (17 cases), Jiangsu (14 cases), Xinjiang (seven cases), Shanghai (four cases), Jiangxi (one case) and Shandong (one case)," the spokesman remarked.

Port health measures

Health surveillance measures have been implemented at all boundary control points. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks of inbound travellers and the DH also conducts temperature checks by handheld devices. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up.

Regarding health education for travellers, the display of posters and broadcasting of health messages in departure and arrival halls, environmental health inspection and provision of regular updates to the travel industry and other stakeholders are ongoing.

Risk communication

The CHP's avian influenza hotline (2125 1111) operates from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday.

Travellers, especially those returning from avian influenza-affected areas with fever or respiratory symptoms, should 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.

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

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



Last Revision Date : 23 Feb 2015