Good personal and environmental hygiene is key to warding off influenza, the Centre for Health Protection says, urging people not to stockpile antiviral medication on their own.

Centre for Health Protection Scientific Committee on Emerging & Zoonotic Diseases chairman Professor Yuen Kwok-yung said washing hands is the most important weapon in combating flu viruses.

He warned that using antiviral treatments without doctors' advice will greatly increase the chance of antiviral resistance emerging in a virus.

Antiviral treatments are considered in the following situations:

* treatment for infected patients;

* pre-exposure preventive treatment for healthcare workers and other essential service providers;

* preventive treatment for workers involved in culling operations; and,

*post-exposure preventive treatment for contacts.

No avian flu vaccines

Professor Yuen said currently available influenza vaccines cannot prevent avian flu. However, they reduce the chance of complications and hospitalisation arising from ordinary human flu among high-risk groups like the elderly and those with chronic illness.

"Scientists are conducting research on avian flu vaccines for use in humans, but none have become widely available," he said.

The committee also published detailed professional guidelines to doctors on the proper use of antiviral drugs for pandemic influenza.

Risk reduced

Professor Yuen said if a pandemic occurred, it may not be possible to totally eliminate the risk of infection. However, the risk can be reduced considerably if people:

* wash hands often, keep the environment clean and maintain good ventilation;

* prepare a few weeks' supply of masks, thermometers, fever-reducing medicine such as aspirin, tissues, soap and disinfectants;

* cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and dispose of used tissues in the rubbish;

* avoid crowded or poorly ventilated places;

* wear a mask if they develop flu-like symptoms, when caring for the sick, and when visiting hospitals and clinics;

* check the latest situation of the flu pandemic and announcements from the government; and,

* pay attention to and comply with Government guidelines on travelling, port health control and suspension of public events.

Prescriptions needed

The centre's Consultant (Community Medicine) Dr Thomas Tsang said the Government will follow the committee's recommendations and the public medical sector will use the antiviral stockpile to provide treatment to infected patients in the event of pandemic influenza.

He said the dispensing of antiviral drugs for influenza - Tamiflu and Relenza - requires prescriptions from registered medical practitioners.

The Department of Health has contacted manufacturers and learned steps are being taken to provide a steady supply of the drugs to private doctors.

The Government has put in place a contingency plan for pandemic flu and has been working closely with various stakeholders including medical and business sectors in formulating their own preparedness plans.

Contingency plan

The centre has been working closely with the Hospital Authority on infection control measures, including formulation of infection-control guidelines and training of healthcare workers and carers. 

It also actively promulgates avian flu prevention and pandemic preparedness measures through different channels, and has produced a tailor-made pandemic preparedness kit for free distribution to the public.

For frequently asked questions about pandemic influenza and antivirals, visit the centre's website. For enquiries, call the Central Health Education Unit hotline, 2833 0111.