The Centre for Health Protection and Hospital Authority have enhanced preventive measures against influenza as Hong Kong has entered the peak flu season. The measures include releasing daily flu outbreak figures in institutions and restricting public hospital acute wards' visiting hours.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon the centre's Controller Dr Thomas Tsang said during the first week in March there were 166 flu isolates - different strains of the illness.

The consultation rates of flu-like illness in private clinics and public outpatient clinics were 57.5 and 8.9 per 1,000 consultations. About five flu-like illness cases were reported in institutions each week.

Although the figures were similar to those in the same period in the last two years, the centre attached great importance to the situation and will closely monitor developments in the coming weeks.

Dr Tsang said the centre and the authority launched a flu vaccination programme in November and more than 270,000 vaccines have been given to vulnerable groups. About 20,000 vaccines are still in stock and will be given to other eligible people.

Prevention enhanced

The centre will boost preventive measures, including releasing flu outbreak figures in institutions everyday from today and arranging health talks for schools and childcare centres from next week. It will also enhance health education and publicity.

Hospital Authority Chief Manager (Infection, Emergency & Contingency) Dr Liu Shao-haei said public hospital acute wards' visiting hours will be reduced from four hours daily to two, and the number of visitors will be restricted to two.

Because of the sudden increased workload triggered by the peak season, public hospitals may need to postpone some non-urgent hospitalisations.

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow said the Government will adopt every necessary measure to prevent and control the spread of influenza.

Noting there is no cause for the public to be overly-worried, he urged people to co-operate with the Government's prevention and control efforts.

Death probed

On the death of a 27-month-old boy who died in Prince of Wales Hospital on February 26, the hospital's Dr Cheung Kam-lau said the case was not flu-related.

The boy had a fever, runny nose and cough and was treated by a private doctor. Late on February 25 he started vomiting and was admitted to the hospital. He was isolated in a fever ward and initial tests showed the boy's samples were negative for any form of flu and SARS. He suffered sudden cardiac arrest and died at 3pm the next day.

Noting there is no apparent evidence showing the case was related to the death of a three-year-old girl in Tuen Mun Hospital, Dr Cheung said the Coroner's Court was following up with a post-mortem examination and detailed investigation.