Health alert:
Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang and Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow brief reporters on a case of H5 influenza A involving a 59-year-old woman.
Woman infected with H5 virus
November 17, 2010
The Government has upgraded its response level for influenza pandemic to 'serious' as a 59-year-old woman is confirmed to have been infected with H5 influenza A virus after a trip to the Mainland.
Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow today told reporters the patient is in serious condition with pneumonia symptoms and will be transferred to the intensive care unit.
She travelled to Nanjing, Shanghai and Hangzhou with her family from October 23 to November 1, and visited local markets and consumed chicken but did not have any contact with live poultry contact nor visit farms during her stay on the Mainland. She came down with flu symptoms the day after returning. Her condition has deteriorated and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital. Her 60-year-old husband also had symptoms but has recovered.
As she went to Yan Oi Market in Tuen Mun after her return, the Government will conduct more tests to confirm whether it is a local or imported case.
The Government has notified the Mainland authorities of the case and will inform the World Health Organisation. It will strengthen disease surveillance, and enhance monitoring of wild birds and chickens in local farms and from the Mainland. So far no problems have been found in local chicken farms and wholesale markets.
"A steering committee meeting involving other concerned bureaus and departments will be held tomorrow to review the situation and plan for further actions, if required."
Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang said the centre will monitor the condition of the patient's family members and the five patients who shared her hospital cubical.
