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 Posted: June 14 2006 at 6:19pm |
The govt in Hong Kong has been tracking flu patients for potential BF outbreaks:
Notice the tracking of conjunctivitis and diarrhoea cases as well as the flu symptoms.
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Posted: June 14 2006 at 6:34pm |
| HK bird flu experts head for Shenzhen |
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Hong Kong medical and veterinary experts will go to Shenzhen City in south China's Guangdong Province to gather more information on the human case of avian influenza there, a Hong Kong official said Wednesday.
Hong Kong Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food York Chow said the case is worrying and could see the suspension of live Mainland chicken imports for three weeks if confirmed.
He added that what concerns health authorities most is that the patient has no specific history of close contact with poultry, similar to two previous cases in Shanghai and Guangdong. Repeated cases on the Mainland may mean there might be some "silent infections" among poultry, which might carry the virus while not showing symptoms.
Chow assured that Hong Kong has all the tools and mechanisms to detect human avian flu and contain it.
"We should not panic, but at the same time we should be cautious," said Chow.
The Hong Kong delegation will discuss the case with Mainland authorities later Wednesday, and share information on epidemiological, laboratory and animal investigation findings, as well as clinical treatment of the case.
Hong Kong Department of Health will continue temperature checks at boundary checkpoints, and accidents and emergency wards have been reminded to step up monitoring of unknown sources of pneumonia.
The Health Bureau of Shenzhen City on Tuesday reported a suspected case of human infection of bird flu. the 31-year-old man is still in critical condition.
Secretary of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China Li Hongzhong on Tuesday announced a second-degree emergency precaution scheme against bird flu in the city. |
http://english.people.com.cn/200606/14/eng20060614_274004.html
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Posted: June 14 2006 at 6:39pm |
According to my research the country remains at an Alert status indicating reaction to cases outside of the country. You are able to view most of their emergency preparations online.
They are sending these members of a delegation to study the China case:
Members of the delegation included Principal Medical and Health Officer of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Dr Teresa Choi, Head of Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of DH, Dr Wilina Lim, Senior Medical and Health Officer of CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, Consultant in-charge (Infectious Control Team) of Princess Margaret Hospital, Dr Lai Sik-to and Chief of Service (Department of Respiratory Medicine) of Kowloon Hospital, Dr Thomas Mok and Veterinary Officer of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Dr Mary Chow.
And page 18 of this document explains the alert system levels:
Again have no idea of the accuracy in reporting and also WHO's system Level alert system is completely useless.
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Posted: June 15 2006 at 6:36am |
UPDATE TODAY:
United Christian Hospital Norovirus cases update ************************************************
Regarding a medical ward in United Christian Hospital (UCH) in which there were patients presenting with vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms, the hospital announced the following updates today (June 15, 2006):
Today, there are three more male patients (aged 77 to 90) in the medical ward presenting with diarrhoea symptom. The patients are being treated under isolation and their conditions are stable. Since June 7, there have been six patients presenting with the symptoms; test results of three patients were found to be positive for Norovirus. Laboratory investigation and result for the remaining patients are pending.
Infection control measures have already been enhanced. There will be no admission to the ward for the time being while visiting arrangement remains normal. All other patients in the ward concerned are under close surveillance.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.
Ends/Thursday, June 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:59
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Posted: June 15 2006 at 6:37am |
Yan Chai Hospital Norovirus cases update ****************************************
Yan Chai Hospital (YCH) spokesperson made the following announcement today (June 15):
There is no new case reported at the female surgical ward since five female patients and two staff members had earlier presented with vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms. Test results of two of the patients were positive to Norovirus.
Ends/Thursday, June 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:55
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Posted: June 15 2006 at 6:38am |
Hospital Authority Enhanced Surveillance Programme
**************************************************
Upon notification from the Health Department of Guangdong Province concerning a suspected human case of avian influenza H5N1 in Shenzhen, the Hospital Authority today (June 15) started the three-week Enhanced Surveillance Programme.
Public hospitals should report to the Authority's e-Flu system all patients fulfilling the case definition of having pneumonia (all types) of unidentified etiology and who had travelled in the seven days before the onset of symptoms, to affected areas/ countries with confirmed human cases of avian influenza infection in the past six months.
The authority today (June 15) received the report of a total of 10 cases (five male and five female, aged 1 to 75). These patients have visited Guangdong and Hubei before the onset of symptoms. The authority has reported the cases to the Centre for Health Protection. Public hospitals are providing rapid tests for these patients.
Ends/Thursday, June 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:54
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Posted: June 15 2006 at 6:41am |
Looks like an outbreak in Asia. Also from HK today:
Dr Chow added that the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau reviewed the preventive and surveillance measures this morning. Government departments are taking a series of surveillance and public education measures in this regard, which include: Strengthened Surveillance Measures *The CHP has informed all doctors in Hong Kong of the latest situation and reminded them to report suspected avian flu infections. The CHP has also contacted public and private hospitals to enhance surveillance of suspected human avian influenza infection. *The Hospital Authority (HA) has activated an Enhanced Surveillance Programme. All public hospitals have to report to HA any pneumonia of unidentified etiology through HA's reporting system on the internet. Public Hospitals have also set up segregated zones in strategic clinical areas, such as Accident and Emergency Department and general out-patient clinics, to monitor and manage patients with infection symptoms. *To enhance import control, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has increased the number of imported live poultry sampled for rapid tests of H5 virus by 50 per cent. At the retail level, FEHD will strengthen inspection and enforcement action. Live poultry retailers are reminded of the need to observe operational guidelines to prevent avian influenza. *On port health measures, the DH will maintain temperature screening for in-bound travellers at all immigration control points. Travellers who are symptomatic with history of possible exposure to the avian flu virus would be referred to hospitals for follow up. *The Customs and Exercise Department (C&ED) has stepped up its surveillance work at all the border control points to combat illegal import of poultry into Hong Kong. Frontline officers remain vigilant. Adopting a risk management approach, inspections of suspected cargoes and passengers' baggage have been intensified at all the border control points. Since October 2005, the Department has embarked on a special operation with special focus on combating illegal import of poultry and birds. The Department will continue to undertake the operation. The Department will also conduct joint enforcement actions with its counterparts in the Mainland from time to time to combat poultry smuggling at the border. *The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will step up inspection on local poultry farms and has issued advisory letters to remind farmers to remain vigilant on their farm bio-security measures. AFCD has also issued advisory letters to fishermen to remind them not to bring any live poultry, live birds or bird carcasses into Hong Kong. The Department will step up inspection on backyard poultry farms for the next three weeks and will increase cleansing activities at the Cheung Sha Wan Poultry Wholesale Market. Moreover, AFCD will continue to monitor the H5 virus in dead wild birds. Enhanced public education *The Government will intensify the exposure of Announcements in Public Interest (APIs) regarding preventive measures against avian flu on TV, radio and at the hospitals and clinics under HA to remind the public of the need to remain vigilant and to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. *DH will continue to disseminate health advice and useful information through various channels including mass media, 24 hour telephone information system, posters, pamphlets, VCDs and outreach operations targeting at selected groups, etc. *DH will also distribute health information leaflets to travellers and broadcast health messages at immigration control points. It will also upload updated information onto the Travel Health Website to enhance public awareness of the preventive measures. In respect of the recent case in Shenzhen, the Department will step up health education on members of the public travelling frequently to/from Shenzhen by coaches or other modes of transportation. *DH has informed the Hong Kong Travel Industry Council about the present situation and provided health advice to travel agencies accordingly. Dr Chow added: "The Government will continue to closely monitor both the local and global situation in connection with avian influenza and to ensure that the necessary preparedness measures are well in place. We will also continue to follow up with the Health Department of Guangdong Province regarding the confirmed case.กจ "Members of the public are reminded to remain vigilant and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene."
Ends/Thursday, June 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:58
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pugmom
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Posted: June 15 2006 at 7:00am |
 PonyGirl wrote:
Hospital Authority Enhanced Surveillance Programme
**************************************************
The authority today (June 15) received the report of a total of 10 cases (five male and five female, aged 1 to 75). These patients have visited Guangdong and Hubei before the onset of symptoms. The authority has reported the cases to the Centre for Health Protection. Public hospitals are providing rapid tests for these patients.
Are these the same patients that tested positive for Norovirus?? It's funny they ALL had visited Guangdong.
Ends/Thursday, June 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:54
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jpc
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Posted: June 15 2006 at 7:11am |
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No these are not the same cases; totally separate.
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Posted: June 15 2006 at 7:14am |
Yan Chai hospital was Noro and the United Christian hospital has 3 more patients in the hospital with God knows what. Plus they have 10 symptomatic people with possible BF
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Posted: June 15 2006 at 7:22am |
| Hospitals boost scrutiny on avian flu |
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The Hospital Authority has started a three-week enhanced surveillance programme, following notification from the Guangdong Health Department of a suspected human case of avian flu in Shenzhen.
Under the programme, public hospitals should report to the authority's e-Flu system all patients fulfilling the case definition of having pneumonia of unidentified etiology and who had travelled in the seven days before the onset of symptoms, to affected areas or countries with confirmed human cases of avian influenza.
The authority today received 10 pneumonia cases of unidentified etiology, involving five men and five women who had visited Guangdong and Hubei.
Public hospitals are providing rapid tests for these patients, and the cases have been reported to the Centre for Health Protection |
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pugmom
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Posted: June 15 2006 at 8:42am |
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Thanx again PG for staying on top of this.
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jpc
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Posted: June 15 2006 at 10:23am |
Yan Chai hospital was Noro and the United Christian hospital has 3 more patients in the hospital with God knows what.
Correction Yan Chai has 2 Patients with Noro. They never mentioned the other 3 patients.
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Posted: June 16 2006 at 6:02am |
Reports of influenza on the rise ********************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 16) called on members of the public to take precautionary measures against respiratory tract infections as its monitoring and sentinel surveillance systems indicated that Hong Kong is entering the summer influenza season.
A CHP spokesman said the sentinel surveillance networks among private doctors and the Government Out-patient Clinics (GOPCs) had detected an increase of influenza-like illness in the community in the past two weeks.
During the two weeks ending June 3 and 10 respectively, consultation rates for influenza-like illness in private doctors' clinics were 60 and 64.1 per 1,000 consultations, compared with 51 to 55 per 1,000 consultations in the previous four weeks.
At the GOPCs, the influenza-like illness consultation rates were at or above 6 per 1,000 consultations for two consecutive weeks ending June 10, compared with 3.6 to 4.6 in the previous four weeks.
Laboratory surveillance also found an increasing number of influenza virus detection recently. The predominant strain remains influenza A H1N1 (New Caledonia). The strain matches the vaccine strains recommended in the 2005/06 Government Influenza Vaccination Program (GIVP).
"Influenza occurs in Hong Kong throughout the year. It usually peaks in February and March, but may have a secondary peak during summer," the spokesman said.
The spokesman said influenza outbreaks in four institutions were confirmed in the week ending June 10. The CHP will issue a letter to all doctors, schools, kindergartens and child care centres regarding the recent situation.
"They will be reminded to inform the CHP if there is any unusual upsurge of influenza activity in schools, nurseries and kindergartens," he said.
The CHP will also advise the Education and Manpower Bureau as well as the Social Welfare Department to resume temperature checks in the institutions under their purview.
The spokesman called on members of the public to be vigilant against influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
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 blowing 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.
Ends/Friday, June 16, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:50
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Posted: June 16 2006 at 6:06am |
Hospital Authority enhances surveillance programme **************************************************
In view of a human case of H5N1 avian influenza in Shenzhen, the Hospital Authority has started a three-week Enhanced Surveillance Programme.
Under the programme, which began yesterday (June 15), public hospitals should report to the Authority's e-Flu system all patients fulfilling the case definition of having pneumonia (all types) of unidentified etiology and who had travelled in the seven days before the onset of symptoms, to affected areas/countries with confirmed human cases of avian influenza infection in the past six months.
The Hospital Authority today (June 16) received reports of a total of 18 cases (11 male, seven female, aged seven months to 89 years). So far, a total of 28 cases (16 male, 12 female, aged seven months to 89 years) have been received. These patients had visited Guangdong and Hubei before the onset of symptoms. The Hospital Authority has reported the cases to the Centre for Health Protection. Public hospitals are providing rapid tests for these patients.
Ends/Friday, June 16, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:27
Yesterday they reported 10 suspected cases and today is 28.
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Posted: June 16 2006 at 6:07am |
Public health experts visit Shenzhen after avian flu case confirmed **********************************************************
Public health and veterinary professionals from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) this morning (June 16) visited Shenzhen again after Ministry of Health last night confirmed that a Shenzhen man had contracted H5N1 avian influenza.
Accompanied by Shenzhen health officers, the Hong Kong team went to a market where the patient had visited before the onset of the disease.
They also visited the patient's residence, and met with one of the patient's friends.
Members of the delegation comprised the Principal Medical and Health Officer of the CHP, Dr SK Chuang, the CHP's Senior Medical and Health Officer, Dr Edwin Tsui and AFCD's Veterinary Officer, Dr Mary Chow.
Before returning to Hong Kong this afternoon, the delegation expressed their gratitude to their Mainland counterparts on their prompt notification and in providing updated information on the case to the CHP so that the public in Hong Kong could be informed of the latest situation there.
Ends/Friday, June 16, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:07
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Posted: June 16 2006 at 6:10am |
Transcript of remarks by SHWF on avian influenza ************************************************
Following is a transcript of the remarks (English portion) by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, at a media session during a public function today (June 16):
Dr Chow: We are concerned and also worried about this particular case mainly because of three reasons. First of all, the patient has no previous history of close or prolonged contact with poultry; secondly, like the other two cases in Shanghai and Guangzhou, these are patients coming from the city and not from the countryside; and the third reason is most of the outbreaks and avian flu infection in human in the past occurred in winter time, but this time is in hot summer. We have a suspicion, but we have not confirmed it yet, that the virus might have become more virulent and more widespread than we have expected. If that is the case, the risk for human to be infected in future is higher.
Reporter: But so far it is only in one case.
Dr Chow: Yes, it is only one case. We need to monitor the situation closely to see if there is continuity of this pattern. With this existing phenomenon, we are also concerned that in coming winter, we may be seeing more cases or more outbreaks particularly among the poultry as well in human.
Reporter: (On the import ban)
Dr Chow: Our policy of central slaughtering is already there. I think we face difficulty in choosing the site and also acceptance from the residents of the North District. On the other hand, we also know that every time we make a decision to ban chickens from importing to Hong Kong, it is not just that we are short of good chicken for our housewives, but more, it affects a lot of trades both in Hong Kong and Guangdong. It also affects the economy of China as well. In general, it is always a very difficult decision to make.
Reporter: (On surveillance in animals in China)
Dr Chow: China is a big country. Regarding Guangdong alone, we feel that this is one of the best controlled provinces in China, because they pledged that they vaccinate all the poultry. We do not know whether there is a change of immunity of the poultry population or whether there is a resistance in the vaccine. This has to be left to the agriculture authorities in Guangdong to investigate, but we are keeping very close communication with them on the progress.
Reporter: (On the human case)
Dr Chow: As I have said earlier, we do not have any firm evidence of what is happening. But we suspect that there might be some changes of immunity status of the poultry.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Friday, June 16, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:17
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Posted: June 17 2006 at 3:40am |
Hospital Authority Enhanced Surveillance Programme **************************************************
In view of a human case of avian influenza H5N1 in Shenzhen, the Hospital Authority (HA) started the three-week Enhanced Surveillance Programme on June 15.
Public hospitals should report to the Authority's e-Flu system all patients fulfilling the case definition of having pneumonia (all types) of unidentified etiology and who had travelled in the seven days before the onset of symptoms, to affected areas/countries with confirmed human cases of avian influenza infection in the past six months.
HA today (June 17) received reports of five cases (four male, 1 female, aged 1 to 81). So far, a total of 33 cases (20 male, 13 female, aged seven months to 89 years) have been received. These patients have visited Guangdong and Hubei before the onset of symptoms. The HA has reported the cases to the Centre for Health Protection. Public hospitals are providing rapid tests for these patients.
Ends/Saturday, June 17, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:01
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Posted: June 17 2006 at 4:43am |
JoeNeubarth wrote:
If, indeed, we are dealing with H5N1 as an intestinal flu, it has flown
full circle from an intestinal flu in birds to a respiratory flu in
pigs and humans (and other mammals) to an intestinal virus again in
humans.
Perhaps it always has been an intestinal irritant but not reported as
much? That would probably be the most logical conclusion. After
all if people are dying of pneumonia does it matter that much if they
have the runs as well?
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Joe, I have no doubt we are. I have posted specific data and tests where the virus was found on rectal swabs, in the blood stream, and in more and more cases is septic in human fatalities. The rapid disposal of bodies, especially primary infection cases, as well as lack of specimens from cases outside a core cluster (familiy) for an increasing creative number of excuses would indicate a pathogenic strain which has achieved a means of getting past the acid in the stomach. Since the virus has acclimated itself to lower temperatures, i.e. present in throat and nasal swabs, it is likely to be airborne and can then pass through the nasal linings into the bloodstream. There are frequent cases with no respiratory involvement. It matters, because as a medical person, or associated with medicine, you know in poorer countries what the added dehydration, inability to eat, and loss of vital electrolytes is going to do to a patient already facing in some cases respiratory-deep lung or now even upper lung attack. This will result in a disease which is non-treatable by classic inhalation therapies requiriing IV dosing and eliminating the effectiveness of several commonly used current treatments in humans for Avian. Not a good scenario at all.
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Posted: June 17 2006 at 4:52am |
seesthelight wrote:
SInce my son died of influenza in Japan in 2005...which i believe was not a normal seasonal influenza and one which killed him without it causing a bacterial pneumonia...his symptoms were as you described above before he came down with the high fever and the autopsy showed brain inflammation and myocarditis, multiple organ failure and of course all of this presented with the pulmonary signs and symptoms. I do not think it has changed much since his death. I agree with you ponygirl on the fact that this thing has already gone out of WHO's control and also that there is alot of the political pressure steering the ship on this. I have been on to them since 2005 when this happened to my son. |
This is a very sad thing and very personal. It always for me takes it out of the nebulous list of numbers of people dying, into what each of us will feel when we are faced with this in our own families in our own country. I appreciate you sharing this information, because I, as well as doctors in several countries have been tracking an elusive connect to a virus which may be a version of Avian which is the forerunner of what could be creating a Pandemic. My condolences to you on loss of your son. And the information which may help save the lives of many others.
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