The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health was (March 7) investigating an imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Hong Kong, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
 
     The male patient, aged 76 with underlying illnesses, developed fever and cough with sputum on March 3 and sought medical attention at a private clinic the next day. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital on March 5 and was admitted on the same day for management. The patient has been transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for isolation and further management. His clinical diagnosis is pneumonia and he is now in a critical condition.
 
     His nasopharyngeal aspirate specimen tested positive for influenza A(H7N9) virus tonight.

     Enquiries revealed that the patient travelled alone to Fuzhou, Fujian between February 11 and March 1 during which he visited a wet market there. The patient’s close contact has remained asymptomatic so far and has been put under medical surveillance. Tracing of his other contacts in Hong Kong is underway.
 
     "The case has been reported to the Mainland and Macau health authorities as well as the World Health Organization. We are communicating with the Mainland authority to follow up the patient´s exposure and movements in the Mainland. Based on information available thus far, it is classified as an imported case. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing. We will issue letters to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions to alert them to the latest situation," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "In Hong Kong, it is the fifth imported human case of H7N9 recorded this winter. The number of human cases reported in the Mainland has increased substantially with more than 480 cases recorded since last October. The number of cases in this wave so far has been much higher than that in the same period last winter season. The situation demands particular attention," the spokesman added

    The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (March 8) reported an update on the fifth human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Hong Kong this winter.

     Contact tracing has so far identified seven close contacts and 61 other contacts. All have remained asymptomatic.

     The close contacts are the patient´s home and ward contacts. They will be given antiviral prophylaxis with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for five days, advised to wear a mask and put under medical surveillance for 10 days following their last exposure to the patient.

     Other contacts include the patient´s family member(s) and healthcare workers. They will be advised to wear a mask and put under medical surveillance for 10 days following their last exposure to the patient.