New indicators will be used to monitor the spread of human swine influenza in Hong Kong, Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang says, adding swine flu tests will be conducted on five specific groups of patients.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Dr Tsang said as human swine flu has become widespread in Hong Kong it is the right time to adjust the Government's monitoring strategies.

Noting the number of newly confirmed cases cannot fully reflect the real situation, he said three new indicators will be used to assess the situation. They are:

* the percentage testing positive to human swine flu at designated flu clinics;

* flu surveillance at designated flu clinics; and,

* influenza-like illness surveillance among sentinel private doctors.

The information obtained from the new indicators will be released and updated weekly.

Laboratory tests

From September 28 the centre will no longer release the number of newly confirmed cases daily. However, the daily announcements of fatal or critical cases, and school outbreaks, will remain.

Laboratory testing strategies will also be adjusted to cope with the latest development. Laboratory tests will only be conducted on flu patients who are:

* pregnant;

* aged below one year;

* healthcare staff;

* patients living in institutions without flu outbreaks; and,

* patients with a persistent fever or whose condition deteriorates two days after treatment.

Up to 300 samples will also be collected from designated flu clinics for tests weekly.

Noting the move will allow the Government to focus its resources on patients in urgent need, Dr Tsang reiterated proper treatment will be given to flu patients who receive no swine flu tests.

Vaccination programme

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow said the tendering process for the procurement of human swine flu vaccinations is ongoing.

"We should be able to get the vaccine before the end of the year. The vaccination programme should be able to start before the so-called 'winter peak rise'."

Fatal case

Meanwhile, a 44 year-old swine flu patient with asthma and hyperlipidemia developed respiratory symptoms and has died.

She was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital September 22 and was prescribed Tamiflu and antibiotics. She required ventilation support and was in critical condition. She died at 12.38pm today.

HKUGA Primary School in Eastern District will suspend classes for seven days due to a human swine flu outbreak affecting 79 students and three staff.

They have developed symptoms since September 3. Two required hospitalisation and have been discharged. All affected people are stable. Four students and a staff member tested positive to human swine flu.