Avian influenza preventive and surveillance measures have been bolstered following the confirmation of two human bird flu cases in Jiangsu.

The Centre for Health Protection today reviewed the latest situation and is following up with the Ministry of Health to study the possible sources of infection and the mode of transmission.

Family clusters of H5 infections have been reported before in Indonesia and Vietnam.  Direct transmission from an infected poultry source could still explain some of these cases, while inefficient human-to-human transmission due to close contact with an infected person cannot be ruled out.

The aviation and travel industries have been informed of the latest situation in Jiangsu. Health information leaflets will be distributed to travellers going to the province. For aircraft coming from there, health announcements will be made on board while leaflets are being distributed to travellers at sea and land immigration checkpoints.

Temperature screening for in-bound travellers at all immigration control points will continue. Travellers who are symptomatic and have a history of possible exposure to the bird flu virus will be referred to hospitals for checks.

Targeted surveillance

The centre is liaising with the Hospital Authority and private hospitals to form enhanced pneumonia surveillance for the H5 virus, targeting passengers arriving from Jiangsu with pneumonia signs. Doctors will be updated on the latest situation and reminded to report suspected cases.

Community education will be boosted during the winter. While surveillance and monitoring of local chicken farms and pet bird gardens will stay, livestock farmers have been reminded to report sick and dead birds for collection and laboratory examination and adhere strictly to enforcing farm biosecurity measures.

A four-week enhanced surveillance programme will be launched in public hospitals until January 7. They should report to the Hospital Authority all patients who have pneumonia of unidentified etiology and have travelled within seven days before the onset of symptoms to affected areas with confirmed human cases of avian flu in the past six months.

Queen Mary Hospital's laboratory and the Public Health Laboratory Centre will provide rapid testing for avian influenza. The programme will be reviewed in four weeks.

The public should stay vigilant against bird flu and strictly observe personal and environmental hygiene. For more prevention tips click here.