Press Releases
Steering Committee on Avian Influenza updates avian flu precautionary measures (with photos)
The Chairperson of the Steering Committee on Avian Influenza and the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, this morning (November 18)
convened an inter-departmental meeting on avian influenza following the
confirmation of a case of Influenza A (H5N1) infection by the Centre for
Health Protection (CHP) yesterday (November 17). The meeting reviewed the
latest situation and preventive measures being taken by various parties
against avian flu.
The inter-departmental meeting was attended by representatives from the
Department of Health (DH), the Hospital Authority (HA), the Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Education Bureau, the Social Welfare
Department, the Home Affairs Department, the Tourism Commission and the
Information Services Department.
Dr York Chow said the Serious Response Level under the Government's
Preparedness Plan for influenza pandemic had been activated. To prevent the
spread of the virus, the inter-departmental group had decided to take a
series of actions according to the contingency plan for the Serious Response
Level.
Accordingly, the CHP under DH has stepped up surveillance by testing all
severe pneumonia cases for H5. A telephone hotline 2125 1111 has been set up
to answer public enquiries. The CHP has written to all medical practitioners
alerting them of the development and has liaised closely with HA to step up
surveillance. The department has also sent letters to institutions, elderly
homes and schools to remind them to be vigilant against avian influenza. The
World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health of China have been
informed of the case.
For public hospitals, the HA had activated the Serious Response Level to
implement a series of measures to enhance surveillance and infection
control. The HA will closely monitor all suspected as well as confirmed
cases and enhance the existing report mechanism. Furthermore, high risk
patients attending Accident and Emergency Departments and general
out-patient clinics will be triaged according to stipulated clinical
guidelines, and appropriate tests will be performed when it is clinically
indicated.
Under the Serious Response Level, more stringent infection control measures
will be enforced in public hospitals, which include no visiting at isolation
wards unless on compassionate grounds. For general acute hospitals, visiting
time is limited to not more than two hours a day and two persons at a time;
for infirmary/convalescent hospitals, it is limited to not more than four
hours a day and two persons at a time. Visitors to public hospitals and
clinics are required to wear surgical masks and ensure hand hygiene before
and after visiting patient areas.
The FEHD has also taken a series of corresponding measures. They include
stepping up inspection at public market stalls and fresh provisions shops,
enhancing surveillance and random checking of any incompliance with the
prohibition against overnight stocking of live poultry at the retail level
and stepping up surveillance, cleansing and disinfection work at public
markets, especially Yan Oi Market in Tuen Mun, as well as enhancing
surveillance on live poultry at the import level. Cleansing and disinfection
work has also been carried out by the staff of the Department at the
patient's apartment as well as the common parts of the building concerned.
In addition, the AFCD will complete the inspection of all 30 chicken farms
within these two days. The department will step up the inspection of the
poultry wholesale market and the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden to remind
traders to stringently implement biosecurity measures. The department will
continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance and collect swab samples
at various locations for H5 testing. The department has also reminded
poultry farmers, wholesalers, pet bird shop owners, Mai Po Nature Reserve,
Hong Kong Wetland Park and Ocean Park, etc. to remain vigilant and
strengthen precautionary measures against avian influenza.
The Government will step up publicity efforts. The Information Services
Department will increase the broadcast of Announcements in the Public
Interest (APIs) on avian influenza prevention on television and radio to
further advise the public on precautionary measures. In addition, the
Education Bureau has issued a letter advising schools to stay alert in
preventing the spread of avian influenza on school premises. A letter from
the CHP is enclosed for schools' reference.
The Committee also requested departments, including the Social Welfare
Department, Tourism Commission, Home Affairs Department and other relevant
organisations to take vigorous precautionary measures to prevent the spread
of avian flu.
Ends/Thursday, November 18, 2010
Issued at HKT 21:03
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