The Department of Health is dealing with an influenza outbreak in the Lai King Hostel. Influenza A virus has been isolated from many of the patients.  However, none of the laboratory tests conducted so far was positive for SARS.

Twenty people from the hostel are in hospital and remain in stable condition.  At noon today, eight had positive results for Influenza A.

Over the week, the department noted that four institutional outbreaks of influenza-like illnesses have occurred: two in elderly homes and two in homes for the mentally deficient, including the Lai King Hostel.  The number of affected people in each of these outbreaks ranged from 7 to 24.

Prompt measures to contain outbreak

The department took prompt control measures in each of the institutional outbreaks, including hygiene inspections, health advice, giving preventive medicine as necessary, and health screening.

Thirty-one patients from these institutions remain in hospital. All are in stable condition except one who has a genetic condition and is in an intensive care unit.

The department pointed out that a similar upsurge of influenza-like illness happened last summer.

More people get sick in flu peak season

Hong Kong has entered the influenza peak season of July and August. Consultation rates for influenza-like illness in general outpatient clinics and private practice have increased since June 2003, from 1.0 and 22.9 per 1,000 cases respectively for the week ending June 7 to 2.7 and 39.8 per 1,000 cases for the week ending July 19.

In view of this, the department urged the public, including those living and working in institutional settings, to take care and use preventive measures to protect themselves against influenza.

The department provides free influenza vaccination to elderly home residents every year. New guidelines on respiratory tract infection prevention for elderly homes were issued this month and letters were sent to all homes alerting them to practical ways of preventing influenza.

Elderly home visits help arouse awareness

Also, visits will be made to the elderly homes in the coming few days to provide advice on hygiene and to heighten hygiene awareness.

The department's advice to guard against flu and other respiratory illnesses in institutional settings is:

* maintain good ventilation;

* maintain good environmental and personal hygiene among residents and staff members;

* patients with respiratory infection symptoms and their carers should wear masks properly.

Staff working in institutions should contact the department promptly if unusual patterns of illness are noticed.