January 13, 2000
The Department of Health (DH) today (Thursday) said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was likely to enter the usual peak season for influenza in the coming weeks but there was no cause for undue alarm.
The Consultant (Community Medicine) of DH, Dr Mak Kwok-hang said: "Equipped with effective surveillance programme and adequate treatment facilities and coupled with vaccination for senior citizens in residential homes, Hong Kong is able to cope with the influenza situation.
"However, we should remain vigilant."
"Members of the public are reminded that the best way to prevent influenza is to improve one's body resistance through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and maintain good ventilation."
According to statistics of DH's sentinel surveillance system for influenza, the rate of influenza-like illness among patients seen by private doctors was 63.2 per 1 000 consultations for the week ending 8 January 2000, compared with 52.4 per 1 000 consultations for the week ending 1 January 2000.
The rate of influenza-like illness among patients at DH's General Out-patient Clinics was 8.7 per 1 000 consultations for the week ending 8 January, compared with 9.4 per 1 000 consultations for the week ending 1 January.
"As the usual peak season for influenza in Hong Kong is February and March, DH would closely monitor the situation," Dr Mak said.
For the week ending 30 January 1999, the rates of influenza-like illness among patients seen by private doctors and at DH's General Out-patient Clinics were 123.0 per 1 000 consultations and 16.9 per 1 000 consultations respectively.
The Department of Health had already completed its annual influenza vaccination for some 50 000 residents of more than 700 elderly homes six weeks ago to boost their immunity and to protect severe complications of influenza infection.
To prevent influenza, members of the public are advised: