Human-to-human bird flu spread risk 'low'

April 06, 2013

Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man says the Government has assessed the risk of human-to-human transmission of the new H7N9 avian influenza virus to be low since most infected patients have had contact with poultry.
 
Speaking to the media after attending a radio programme this morning, Dr Ko said the Department of Health, the Centre for Health Protection, the Hospital Authority, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department conducted an internal risk assessment yesterday.
 
He said their assessment is that the risk of human-to-human transmission of the virus is still low.
 
Most of the infected patients have a history of contact with poultry and therefore a prevention strategy will focus on poultry control, he said.
 
“That is why we have arranged a meeting with the Mainland authorities to introduce an H7 [avian influenza] rapid test on poultry imported from the Mainland as well as those within Hong Kong,” Dr Ko said.
 
He said the Government will also strengthen control at immigration checkpoints, and additional staff will be deployed to reinforce the body temperature checks for incoming passengers.     
 
After the SARS outbreak in 2003, public hospitals have enhanced their isolation facilities capacity, he said.
 
The authority has 1,400 isolation beds, he said, adding this is in line with a strategy to identify and isolate suspected cases early and carry out rapid testing as soon as possible.