Preventive measures against avian influenza have been enhanced in Hong Kong due to a suspected human H5N1 case in Guangdong involving a 44-year-old Sichuan woman.

Speaking at a press briefing this afternoon Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang said the Shanwei resident developed symptoms on February 16 and died this morning. The case has yet to be confirmed by the Ministry of Health.

She had consumed some of the unvaccinated chickens kept in her backyard. As those chickens became sick and died during the incubation period of her illness it is believed she got the virus from them. There is no evidence or signs of human-to-human transmission.

Strengthened surveillance

The centre and the Hospital Authority have expanded the pneumonia surveillance programme. Hospitals will conduct avian flu tests on patients with pneumonia symptoms of unknown origin who came back from Guangdong in the last six months.

Queen Mary Hospital's laboratory and the Public Health Laboratory Centre will provide rapid avian flu tests. The enhanced programme will be reviewed in four weeks' time.

The Centre for Health Protection will strengthen its port health measures by enhancing publicity and stepping up temperature screening measures. It will inform healthcare staff of the latest situation and remind them to report suspicious cases promptly.

The Government has also asked the Guangdong Inspection & Quarantine Department to enhance inspection and surveillance of all registered farms supplying poultry to Hong Kong.

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will send veterinary officers to inspect the farms and enhance inspection and sample-taking to ensure poultry supplied to Hong Kong is safe for consumption.

Tougher enforcement

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department will enhance its inspection of local poultry farms and enhance surveillance of live birds sold in wholesale markets and step up cleansing work.

The Customs & Excise Department will enhance inspections at the boundary to combat poultry smuggling activities.

People travelling to the Mainland are urged not to bring any live poultry or uncooked poultry products to Hong Kong. People are also reminded to avoid contact with live poultry.