April 03, 2013

Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man says experts are now trying to develop a means of testing poultry for the deadly H7 avian influenza virus after four more human cases of Influenza A (H7N9) were confirmed on the Mainland yesterday, bringing the total number to seven.
 
The Government is stepping up surveillance measures, Dr Ko said on a radio show this morning, adding there is no need to raise the Alert Response Level now, but the Government will closely monitor the situation.
 
He said the situation is worrying as all four newly confirmed human cases in Jiangsu are in critical condition. Two men earlier died of the disease, and another infected woman is also in critical condition.
 
“This reflects that either the virus is very serious, or the minor cases cannot be recognised by the frontline healthcare staff,” he said.  
 
He said the chance of importing infected chickens is low as all Mainland poultry farms supplying chickens to Hong Kong are registered. The Government will bolster surveillance measures on imported poultry, local chicken farms, and wholesale and retail markets.
 
Speaking to the media, Dr Ko admitted that the current infrared body-temperature screening at boundary checkpoints is not 100% correct, but people suspected to have a fever will have their temperature taken by other means.
 
He added that the World Health Organisation has not issued a travel alert, but he reminded people to avoid direct contact with animals, birds or poultry when travelling.
 
Dr Ko today also visited Lo Wu Control Point to see the enhanced surveillance and control measures being put in place against human cases of Influenza A (H7N9) and other infectious diseases.