Press Releases

SFH on update of the confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9)

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after chairing a meeting of the Steering Committee on Serious Response Level under the Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic this afternoon (December 3):

Secretary for Food and Health: We have convened again a meeting of the Steering Committee on Serious Response Level under the Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic this afternoon. In addition to departments under the Food and Health Bureau, other relevant bureaux and departments also took part in the meeting. At today's meeting, the Hospital Authority provided an update on the clinical condition of the patient who is the first confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9). The patient is still receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of Queen Mary Hospital. Her condition remains critical. The Centre for Health Protection has also updated the meeting on its work on contact tracing.

Reporter: (On how long the work on contact tracing will be continued)

Secretary for Food and Health: We would certainly continue the work on contact tracing until all persons, whom we have reasons to suspect that they had contacts with the first confirmed patient of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Hong Kong, have been traced. In this regard, the incubation period of the disease is up to 10 days. In this particular incident, (the incubation period) would be sort of a reference indicator.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:24

NNNN