13 Feb 2008
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 13) called on members of the public to take precautionary measures against influenza infection.
Consultant (Community Medicine) of CHP, Dr SK Chuang said traditional winter influenza season in Hong Kong was February and March and CHP's monitoring and sentinel surveillance systems indicated that Hong Kong is entering the influenza peak season.
Dr Chuang pointed out that the sentinel surveillance networks among private doctors and government out-patients clinics detected an increase of influenza-like illness (ILI) in the community in the three consecutive weeks ending February 2.
During the week ending February 2, consultation rates for ILI in private doctors and GOPC were 51.3 and 4.4 per 1000 consultations respectively while the corresponding figures for the previous week were 50.7 and 3.8 respectively.
Laboratory surveillance found an increasing number of influenza virus detection recently.
The Public Health Laboratory of CHP found a number of influenza isolates (A/H3N2/Brisbane, A/H1N1/Solomon Islands and B/Yamagata and B/Malaysia) that recently appeared in different countries.
Dr Chuang said the influenza vaccine being used for the current flu season offers some degree of protection against influenza, even as it does not match exactly one of the circulating strains which is the A/H3N2/Brisbane-like virus.
According to serological studies by the World Health Organization, the current vaccine still offers 40 to 85 per cent of protection against the H3N2 Brisbane-like virus. At the same time, there is good match of the vaccine and circulating A/H1N1 and B/Malaysia-like strains.
The B/Yamagata-like strain has been circulating in Hong Kong in recent years and as such some immunity is expected among local population, Dr Chuang added.
She urged members of the public who are at higher risk of complications from influenza to get vaccinated against influenza as soon as possible as it takes two weeks for people to take up immunity.
"The vaccine will offer some degree of protection against influenza related complications. Those who are eligible for free influenza vaccination under the Government Influenza Vaccination Programme (GIVP) can approach appropriate venues promulgated by the Government," Dr Chuang said.
Dr Chuang added that over 270 000 doses of flu vaccines had been administered to the eligible target groups since the GIVP started on November 5 last year and the programme would continue while the vaccine stock lasts.
To prevent influenza, people are advised:
‧ To build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
‧ To maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
‧ To wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
‧ To maintain good ventilation;
‧ To avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.
Members of the public, particularly young children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult their doctors for medical advice promptly if they develop influenza-like symptoms.