China - Flu Surge in Hong Kong

[sharon sanders]

This article is in direct contrast to the latest official flu reports that says the flu season has peaked.

machine translation

7700 for treatment in a single day flu pandemic
Newsgroups on the 9th
March 09, 2012 6:00 AM
A pandemic flu outbreak captured the public hospitals, attendance beyond the SARS (SARS) period The past week, the Hong Kong public hospital emergency room daily average attendances higher than usual by 12 percent, more than 7,700 people Monday for treatment, the highest single - the new high, Tuen Mun, Queen Elizabeth and United Christian Hospital emergency room attendance crowd Habitat "three" position, Tuen Mun hospital up to 844 people for treatment, the medical ward occupancy rate of 120%; QEH recorded a 700 for treatment, a patient waiting for 20 hours before getting on the medical ward. The emergency room doctor in charge lament that it is only natural "for the past 20 years have not seen, criticized the authorities over the years did not face the issue squarely.
Hospital Authority, the latest data show that over 6,500 people in Hong Kong public hospital emergency room average daily attendance in the past week, higher than usual about 5800 people. Monday attendances up to 7700 people, the majority of patients with flu patients, the Tuen hospital emergency room was recorded in 844 attendances largest number ".

The HA Emergency Medicine Central Co-ordinating Committee Chairman Deng Yaokeng expected that non-emergency patients to the emergency room for treatment or have to wait four to six hours, and called for less severe attendance of family doctors or general out-patient. Medical ward implicated "overwhelmed" by the emergency room, the occupancy rate of saturation of the explosion convex ". Tuen hospital physician Mr Ng Monday ward occupancy rate is particularly high, more than 120%, need an extra bed in the corridor and with eight to ten beds in the ward "emergency". He estimated that, if attendance continues to rise, or require an extension of the winter peak period of influenza contingency plans for Thursday, May.

He Xiaohui refers to the Iraqi hospital emergency room director, the past winter influenza peak season daily maximum of only 580-600 people seeking treatment, but this week a much as 700 people from hospital, the ambulance up to 283 sorties: SARS not seen a similar scenario "On that day waiting in the emergency department observation ward patients admitted up to 39 to force the explosion due to a medical ward, part of the old, the risk of serious influenza or pneumonia patients also need to wait for 20 hours before getting on the ward. He estimates that this year the weather has changed so much, so that the increase in the number of various infectious diseases. Cooler this week, may have a large number of patients rushed to the emergency room.



Zhttp://www.worldjournal.com/view/full_news/17804314/article-%E5%96%AE%E6%97%A57700%E4%BA%BA%E6%B1%82%E8%A8%BA-%E6%B5%81%E6%84%9F%E5%A4%A7%E7%88%86%E7%99%BC?inst ance=hk_bull

[Giuseppe]

Re: Flu Epidemic in Hong Kong?

[Source: Hospital Authority, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

HA appeals to public amid surge in A&E attendance


The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

Due to the peak influenza season and the cooler weather expected in the next few days, a series of contingent measures have been implemented in public hospitals to cope with a surge in hospital admission and attendance in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments.

The Hospital Authority (HA) appeals to the general public for co-operation and understanding on the protracted waiting time for non-urgent patients in A&E departments and the need to re-schedule non-emergency services in public hospitals.

A spokesperson for the HA today (March 8) said, "Entering the influenza peak season, there is a higher chance for the chronically ill and elderly to require hospital admission. We have observed there is a climbing rate of admission to the medical wards recently. With the surge in demand, non-emergency procedures and surgeries have to be re-scheduled in public hospitals, while there will be a longer waiting time for A&E patients who are triaged as non-urgent cases. However, emergency services such as cancer surgery, emergency cardiac surgery, and life-threatening surgeries related to limbs or organs will definitely remain normal."

According to the latest statistics, the occupancy for medical beds in most public hospitals has been saturated, with most of the medical wards having over 100 per cent occupancy.

Regarding service demand in A&E departments, the average daily attendance has reached over 6 500 cases in the past week, which is 12 per cent higher than the normal daily average of 5 800 cases. On Monday (March 5) the attendance reached over 7 700 cases, with influenza patients a main attribute to the surge.

The spokesperson reminded the public on appropriate use of A&E services. "Members of the public are advised to first seek consultation at a general out-patient clinic or family doctor for minor ailments such as common influenza to avoid long queuing at busy A&E departments. Our priority is to ensure early and prompt treatment for critical and urgent patients under the triage mechanism."


Ends/Thursday, March 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:36
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[Giuseppe]

Prior to the above post, HK issued these statements:

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

CHP investigates influenza-like illness outbreak


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has reminded members of the public and management of institutions to maintain good environmental and personal hygiene to prevent influenza.

The reminder followed the CHP's investigation into an influenza-like illness (ILI) outbreak at a kindergarten-cum-child care centre in Sha Tin, affecting 20 students.

The affected children, comprising 11 males and nine females aged between 2 and 5, developed symptoms of respiratory tract infection, including fever, cough and sore throat, since February 17.

None of them required hospitalisation. All are in stable condition.

CHP staff have visited the school and provided health advice to the management.

To prevent respiratory tract infection, members of the public are advised to adopt the following measures:

• Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
• Maintain good personal hygiene, wash hands after sneezing or coughing and cleaning the nose, and wear a mask when having symptoms of respiratory tract infection;
• Maintain good ventilation; and
• Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.

Ends/Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:36
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[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Increase in Respiratory Syncytial Virus activity


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 7) called on the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection. The appeal followed the CHP's latest surveillance data showing an increase in the activity of RSV in recent weeks.

Since mid-February, RSV detections by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Centre have been on a seasonal rise. The number of RSV detections increased from 31 in the week ending February 18 to 60 in the week ending February 25. The latest RSV detection figure was 74 in the week ending March 3.

Three RSV institutional outbreaks have been reported to the CHP so far this year, affecting a total of 33 persons. There were 26 and 30 RSV outbreaks recorded in 2010 and 2011 affecting 380 and 284 persons respectively.

"RSV mainly causes acute respiratory tract infections, and is more active in spring and summer months from March to August in Hong Kong," the spokesman said. "It can be transmitted by direct contact with infectious secretions, by droplets spread, or indirectly through contaminated hands or articles freshly soiled by oro-nasal discharge of infected persons. Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache and decreased appetite."

Members of the public are reminded to take the following measures to prevent respiratory tract infection:

• Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
• Wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation; and
• Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.

Members of the public, particularly young children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult their doctors promptly if they develop symptoms.


Ends/Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:51
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[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

CHP investigates upper respiratory infection outbreak at elderly home


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection affecting 20 residents aged 63 to 98 at a residential care home for the elderly in Kowloon City.

The affected residents, comprising 15 females and five males, developed symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, including fever, runny nose, cough and sore throat since February 17.

Two of the affected residents were admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and Kowloon Hospital for medical treatment. The resident who was admitted to QEH, with underlying illness, passed away on March 3 after being admitted for chest infection on March 2. The two patients' throat swabs tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

All the 19 affected people are in stable condition.

CHP staff visited the elderly home and provided health advice to the management.

A CHP spokesman said that RSV was spread by direct contact with infectious secretions and could be easily transmitted among individuals in institutional settings.

"The incubation period can be one to 10 days but is usually five to seven days. Common symptoms include fever, chills, runny nose, cough, headache and decreased appetite," he said.

To prevent respiratory tract infection caused by RSV, members of the public are advised to take the following measures:

• Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing and coughing;
• Maintain good ventilation; and
• Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation

Members of the public, particularly children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult their doctors for medical advice promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection.


Ends/Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:31
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[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

CHP investigates confirmed case of severe paediatric influenza B infection


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is drawing public attention to its investigation into a confirmed case of severe paediatric influenza B infection affecting a 6-year-old girl.

The girl, with good past health, lives in Tsuen Wan. She developed fever, cough and runny nose since February 21 and sought medical attention from a general practitioner on the same day. She was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital on February 26. She was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Princess Margaret Hospital the next day as she developed pneumonia and pleural effusion. Her current condition is stable.

Nasopharyngeal aspirate taken from the girl tested positive for influenza B. Culture of pleural fluid yielded Streptococcus pneumoniae.

She has no recent travel history. Her home contacts are asymptomatic.

A spokesman reminded members of the public to stay vigilant and take precautionary measures against influenza.

They are advised to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene and build up good body immunity through a proper diet and regular exercise, taking adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking.

More details on prevention of influenza are available on the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).


Ends/Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:12
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[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Public urged to be vigilant against upper respiratory tract infection


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 6) called on the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent upper respiratory tract infection (URI).

The appeal followed the CHP's investigation into two URI outbreaks in Sham Shui Po and Southern District respectively.

The first case involved 24 pupils aged between 3 and 6 at a kindergarten in Sham Shui Po. The affected pupils, comprising 11 males and 13 females, developed URI symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat since February 17. One student required hospitalisation. All are in stable condition.

The hospitalised student's nasopharyngeal swab tested positive for human metapneumovirus.

A CHP spokesman said human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a single-stranded RNA virus and can cause acute respiratory tract infections in all ages. Children are primarily affected.

"Human metapneumovirus causes clinical syndromes of varying severity in children such as fever, cough, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath. Some children may also present with otitis media, diarrhoea, vomiting, rash and febrile convulsion. In adults, hMPV usually causes mild disease characterised by cough, hoarseness, runny nose and sputum production," the spokesman said.

The second case involved 22 students aged between 13 and 14 at a secondary school in Southern District. The affected students, comprising 16 males and six females, developed URI symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat since February 29. No hospitalisation was required. All are in stable condition.

Staff of the CHP conducted site visits and provided health advice to both schools. They were put under medical surveillance.

To prevent URI and influenza, members of the public are advised to adopt the following measures:

• Build up good body immunity by having a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing and cleaning the nose. Wear a mask when developing symptoms of respiratory infections;
• Maintain good ventilation; and
• Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation, especially during peak influenza season.

Members of the public, particularly children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult their doctors for medical advice promptly if they develop symptoms of URI infection.

For more information on the disease, members of the public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).


Ends/Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:50
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In conclusion we have a co-circulation of several respiratory pathogens, such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human Metapneumovirus, and Influenza B, as demonstrated by a number of institutional outbraeks in hospital wards, long term care facilities and schools.

(IOH)