Hong Kong - Woman traveler to China, 59, Confirmed H5N1 - November 2010

[Treyfish]

2010-11-17 HKT 17:25

York Chow, Secretary for Food and Health and Centre for Health Protection, Dr Thomas Tsang imported to an Influenza A (H5N1) cases, this evening met with the media at the Government Secretariat.
It is understood that a 50-year-old woman, after returning to the mainland late last month was not, initially confirmed that H5N1 avian influenza infection in Tuen Mun Hospital in serious condition.
http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/exp..._55_713372.htm

[Gert van der Hoek]

Hong Kong - Imported human case of H5N1 reported?

machinetranslations have their limitations. It seems this reports says:

a woman got infected with H5N1 in mainland China?

A press conference seems to be announced.




Women's Tour of avian influenza into Hong Kong York Chow dye to see a reporter later

2010-11-17 HKT 17:25

York Chow, Secretary for Food and Health and Centre for Health Protection, Dr Thomas Tsang imported to an Influenza A (H5N1) cases, this evening met with the media at the Government Secretariat.

It is understood that a 50-year-old woman, after returning to the mainland late last month was not, initially confirmed that H5N1 avian influenza infection in Tuen Mun Hospital in serious condition.

http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/expressnews/20101117/news_20101117_55_713372.htm

Tour de la femme de la grippe aviaire à Hong Kong, York Chow colorant pour voir un journaliste plus tard

17/11/2010 HKT

York Chow, secrétaire pour l'alimentation et la santé et le Centre de protection de la santé, le Dr Thomas Tsang importées à une grippe A (H5N1) cas, ce soir, a rencontré les médias au secrétariat du gouvernement.

Il est entendu qu'une femme de 50 ans, après son retour au mois continentale dernière fin n'était pas, d'abord confirmé que le virus H5N1 de grippe aviaire à Tuen Mun Hospital dans un état grave.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Hong Kong - Imported human case of H5N1 reported?

A string of articles in Chinese popping up now, it seems to be a confirmed case.

machinetranslated


A confirmed case of H5N1 influenza A woman in serious condition

(Commercial Radio) November 17, 2010 Wednesday 17:40

Hong Kong confirmed a case of importedH5N1 influenza cases, the patient was a woman, was admitted in serious condition.

http://hk.news.yahoo.com/article/101117/18/lawr.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Imported bird flu found in Hong Kong

(Hong Kong) Ming Pao, a Hong Kong York Chow and Secretary for Food and Health Centre for Health Protection, Dr Thomas Tsang today for an afternoon of imported Influenza A (H5N1) cases met the press.

　　It is reported that a woman back to the mainland late last month, to feel unwell after returning to Hong Kong, the initial confirmed case of H5N1 bird flu, is in serious condition.

http://realtime.zaobao.com/2010/11/101117_41.shtml

Women returned from the mainland in serious condition after the bird flu

17/11/2010 5:45 PM

Hong Kong found an imported case of avian influenza H5N1, the patient was a fifty-year-old woman, after returning to the mainland late last month is not, admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital in serious condition.

Food and Health Secretary York Chow and Controller, Centre for Health Protection, told a press conference the details later.

http://www.metroradio.com.hk/997/News/Default.aspx?NewsID=07beaa5e-d77e-42ac-be97-59c6a7af3a97

59-year-old woman was diagnosed after returning from the Mainland for serious bird flu infected

17.11.2010 17:58

Hong Kong confirmed a case of imported H5N1 bird flu patient is a fifty-year-old local woman, was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital in serious condition. Sources, the patient end of last month to Shanghai and Nanjing, 一日 return this month, five days later the disease, hospital last Sunday, her family were asymptomatic.

http://www.881903.com/Page/ZH-TW/newsdetail.aspx?ItemId=301911&csid=261_341

Imported bird flu found in Hong Kong (17:33)

Hong Kong Government health officials will meet with the media, about an imported case of Influenza A (H5N1) cases.

Health SecretaryYork ChowandCentre for Health Protection, Dr Thomas Tsang today for an afternoon of imported Influenza A (H5N1) cases met the press.

It is reported that a woman back to the mainland late last month, to feel unwell after returning to Hong Kong, the initial confirmed case of H5N1bird flu, is in serious condition.

http://inews.mingpao.com/htm/INews/20101117/gb31733a.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong - Imported human case of H5N1 reported?

Yesterday, two cases of suspecte legionnaires' disease were reported by CHP:

Hong Kong: CHP investigates case of Legionnaires' Disease (11/16/10)


[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, View Original Article.]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a confirmed case of Legionnaires' Disease.

The patient is a 56-year-old man living in Southern District. He developed fever, cough and vomiting on November 8 and was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) on November 13. He is now in stable condition.

Urine tests revealed that he was infected with Legionella bacteria.

CHP's investigation showed that he had been travelling with his wife in Mainland China on a business trip during the incubation period. His wife also had history of coughing, fever and sore throat. Tests on her specimens are being conducted by QMH and results are pending.

The investigation is continuing.

This is the 19th case of Legionnaires' Disease reported this year. Thirty-seven cases were reported in 2009, 13 in 2008 and 11 in 2007.

Information on Legionnaires' Disease and advice on prevention can be found on the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
-
-----

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Hong Kong - Imported human case of H5N1 reported?

Source in English seems to confirm the machinetranslations.


Bird flu case in HK

17-11-2010

A case of H5N1 bird flu has been detected in Hong Kong. The patient is a 59-year-old woman who visited the mainland with her husband and daughter.

She returned to Hong Kong at the beginning of this month and developed a fever a few days later. She was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital where she's in a serious condition.

The Health Secretary, York Chow, said it's not possible at this stage to confirm whether the woman contracted the virus on the mainland or in the territory.

The disease first emerged in Hong Kong in 1997. Six people died in the outbreak - and all chickens were culled locally.

http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20101117/news_20101117_56_713377.htm

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Hong Kong - Imported human case of H5N1 reported?

more details - machinetranslated

Female patient with bird flu has been to Hangzhou, Nanjing and markets in Tuen Mun
17/11/2010 7:01 PM

Found in Hong Kong from the mainland passed a suspected case of avian influenza H5N1, the patient was a fifty-year-old woman, she is now in serious condition. Tomorrow the Government will hold an inter-departmental meeting to discuss the incident.

Food and Health Secretary York Chow said the female patient last month with her husband and daughter to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing tourism in the Mainland market and the food had visited during the chicken. First of the month return to Hong Kong from the Mainland, fever four days later , cough and sputum with blood, was twice admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital, there are signs of pneumonia, may have to go to intensive care unit.

Dr Chow said that this case is very likely that imported cases, but the female patients had the disease before and Chi Lok Yan Oi Market in Tuen Mun, not out of the local infection. Our alert level has been upgraded to serious, will enhance the entrance testing live chickens, strengthen the monitoring and cleaning the wholesale market. The patient visited the market will also enhance cleaning.

Dr Chow said the families of female patients and female patients had the same ward with five patients being asymptomatic, does not appear human to human transmission of the crisis.

http://www.metroradio.com.hk/997/News/Default.aspx?NewsID=f6a49539-2c28-4358-90c6-b73f7d8ca55e

Dr Chow: I believe the woman was infected with H5N1 is an imported case, but does not exclude local infection
2010-11-17 HKT 18:17

A 59-year-old woman last month after returning to the Mainland, confirmed case of H5N1 bird flu, the Food and Health Secretary York Chow said the temporary failure to determine that she is overseas or local infection.

Dr Chow said the woman with her husband and daughter, had earlier in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing, returned this month from 1 to September 5 with fever admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital and is now in serious condition with pneumonia in the short term may be into the intensive care unit.

He added that the authorities had immediately-level rise Serious Response Level, the patients in the Mainland or Hong Kong, have been to the market, we can not determine whether imported cases or cases of local infection.

http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/expressnews/20101117/news_20101117_55_713379.htm

59-YEAR-OLD WOMAN INTO HONG KONG H5N1 AVIAN INFLUENZA INFECTED
NEWS - HONG KONG AND MACAO NEWS

2010/11/17, WEDNESDAY

HONG KONG TODAY (17) CONFIRMED A CASE OF H5N1 BIRD FLU IMPORTED, IT IS LEARNED, THE PATIENT IS A 59 YEAR-OLD WOMAN, BY THE END OF OCTOBER TO THE MAINLAND TO HONG KONG AFTER FEELING UNWELL, THE INITIAL CONFIRMED CASE OF H5N1 BIRD FLU, IN THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL IN SERIOUS CONDITION .

FOOD AND HEALTH SECRETARY YORK CHOW MEANS THAT PATIENTS HAVE TO SHANGHAI, HANGZHOU AND NANJING, IN CHINA WENT TO THE LOCAL MARKET, HAS ALSO RETURNED TO HONG KONG TO THE MARKET. HE SAID FAMILY MEMBERS OF PATIENTS WITH NO SYMPTOMS, WILL CLOSE ATTENTION

http://www.atchinese.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70495:59h5n1&catid=19:2009-03-19-06-15-29&Itemid=183

[sharon sanders]

Re: Hong Kong - Imported human case of H5N1 Confirmed

Also please see:

China - Bird Flu Drill in Haiyan Province
November 15, 2010

China - Respiratory Outpatients increase by 50% in last 2 weeks in Nanjing, Jiangsu province - Air pollution caused by auto emissions blamed
October 17, 2010

China - Significantly Increased Respiratory Tract Infections due to Haze in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province
October 13, 2010

China - Shanghai Public Health Officials Warn about Handling Egg Shells and Raw Eggs due to Bird Flu and Salmonella
October 5, 2010

China - Outpatient Visits Up Due to Respiratory Fever and Colds in Shanghai
October 2, 2010

China - Many Parents Seek Medical Treatment for Pneumonia in Nanjing, Jiangsu province - Weather Blamed
September 2, 2010

[sharon sanders]

Re: Hong Kong - Human case of H5N1 Confirmed

Looks like she returned from China on November 1 and was admitted to the hospital in Hong Kong on November 5 with symptoms of pneumonia and fever.

<table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="left" height="100">

(11-17 06:24)

Dr Chow noted that bird flu infected woman in serious condition (11-17 06:24)

Hong Kong confirmed a case of avian influenza H5N1 cases.The Government has immediately risen to serious levels of response level, real-time market cleansing and strengthening the monitoring of chickens.

The patient is a 59-year-old woman, was returning from the Mainland 1st of this month to 5th of this month admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital because of fever, symptoms of pneumonia, now in serious condition.
Food and Health Secretary York Chow said that as the patient went to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing visits, went to the local market, and also visited Hong Kong to Hong Kong Tuen Mun Chi Lok market, we can not determine the case or that the input infection. He said the government immediately increased our level of Serious Response Level, and immediate clean-up of markets and the monitoring of chickens. It will also monitor the patients and their families, emphasizing the time being is not human to human transmission of the situation.

http://www.dushi.ca/realtimenews/details.php?IndexID=2769184

</td></tr><tr><td height="12"></td></tr></tbody></table>

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Hong Kong - Human case of H5N1 Confirmed

Edit: Xinhua has the report now.


Hong Kong Woman Catches Bird Flu, Possibly in China

November 17, 2010, 6:33 AM EST

By Marco Lui
(Updates with more details from first paragraph.)

Nov. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong detected a case of H5N1 bird flu in a woman who may have caught the disease in China, Secretary for Food and Health York Chow told reporters this evening.

There was no indication of human-to-human transmission of the influenza and relatives of the 59-year-old woman are showing no symptoms, Chow said. The Hong Kong government raised its flu response level to “serious,” Chow said.

The woman returned this month from a trip to China and her husband said she had visited a poultry market and eaten chicken, said Thomas Tsang, controller of the Centre for Health Protection, at a news conference.

Read more


H.K. reports first bird flu infection case since 2003

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 6:49 AM

- snip -

''The case is likely to be imported, but we cannot rule out that it might be a local infection case,'' he said.

The woman fell ill on Nov. 2, a day after she returned from mainland China, developing a runny nose, fever, cough and symptoms of pneumonia in the following days. Her husband and daughter who had traveled with her have not developed any symptoms.

According to the woman's husband, they visited a wet market in Shanghai and ate chicken dishes there, while she also visited a Hong Kong wet market after she returned home.

''We have raised our alertness level and we will notify the mainland authorities and the World Health Organization about the case,'' Chow said.

Read more

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Hong Kong - Human case of H5N1 Confirmed

Press release Hong Kong Administration - machinetranslated

Woman who had been to Mainland diagnosed with bird flu

November 17, 2010

Food and Health Bureau announced 59-year-old woman was unwell after returning from the Mainland, confirmed infected with influenza A H5N1 influenza, in the Tuen Mun Hospital in serious condition; the alert level has increased to Serious Response Level, and informed the Mainland authorities follow-up.

Food and Health Secretary York Chow today (November 17) to the media that the patient has been prescribed Tamiflu and Relenza, but because of pneumonia symptoms, may be transferred to the intensive care unit shortly; due to their temporary home contacts No bird flu symptoms, it is believed to have human to human transmission is low.

Patients October 23 to November 1 with her husband and daughter to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing tourism in the Mainland during the period went to the local markets and eat chicken, after he returned to Chi Lok Yan Oi Market in Tuen Mun.

She returned the next day started a runny nose, Nov. 5 condition deteriorated with fever, cough symptoms, sputum has blood, 12, went to Tuen Mun hospital for measles, prescription drugs have been home, 14, admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital isolation; She also sought medical treatment at private clinics.

Controller, Centre for Health Protection said it was tracking had close contact with patients who, her husband and daughter after inspection, found no symptoms; and patients in the same ward has not abnormal, the authorities continue to closely monitor and test .

Dr Tsang said that as the incubation period, patients in the Mainland and Hong Kong, also visited the market, they need to collect more information to determine the input or local cases.

Dr Chow said the case will notify the World Health Organization, he convened an inter-departmental meeting tomorrow to study further measures. Markets has been stepped up cleaning, and to strengthen the monitoring of local chicken farms and poultry wholesale market.

http://www.news.gov.hk/tc/categories/health/html/2010/11/20101117_174213.shtml

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Hong Kong - Human case of H5N1 Confirmed

SFH on human case of influenza A (H5N1)
***************************************
Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a stand-up media session regarding a human case of influenza A (H5N1) at the West Wing lobby of Central Government Offices today (November 17):

Reporter: Is there a risk for a community outbreak right now? Will the passengers on the same plane be traced?

Secretary for Food and Health: According to our existing analysis, there is no sign of human to human transmission. Most of the H5N1 infections are now transmitted from poultry to human. So I think we have to first concentrate on the source of infection from the poultry as origin. Of course, we need to trace all the contacts that this patient has with particularly close contact. The risk of travelling together when she came back to Hong Kong without any symptoms is extremely slim. But we will be concentrating on people who were in contact with her when she showed symptoms and also when she was in Hong Kong.

Reporter: When can we say for sure that this case is an imported or local case?

Secretary for Food and Health: I don't think we can say for certain this is an imported case or local case. According to the authorities and also the World Health Organisation, the incubation period of influenza can be as long as about two weeks. And this patient has developed her first symptom one day after she arrived back in Hong Kong. So of course when you look at that, the chances of she catching it is most likely in Mainland, but you cannot really rule out whether that is in Hong Kong as well, because even within a day, sometimes the incubation can be as short as that. We try to rule out everything according to the other circumstantial evidence in terms of contacts and also the viral studies. The viral studies might be the best indicator whether this is a virus from more Northern part of China or in the Southern part of China.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 20:17

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201011/17/P201011170301.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Shiloh]

Re: Hong Kong - Human case of H5N1 Confirmed

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english201...c_13611146.htm

Hong Kong reports one H5N1 avian flu case
English.news.cn 2010-11-17 20:39:58

HONG KONG, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- A 59-year-old local woman was found to have contracted H5N1 avian flu virus after visiting the mainland last month, Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health York Chow said Wednesday.

Speaking at a press briefing Wednesday evening, Chow said the patient went to the mainland on Oct. 23 where she visited places including Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing. She developed flu symptoms such as cough and fever on Nov. 2, one day after returning to Hong Kong, and was later admitted to Tun Mun Hospital...

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Hong Kong - Human case of H5N1 Confirmed

Press Release



Woman infected with H5 in serious condition
*******************************************
The serious response level under the Government's Preparedness Plan for influenza pandemic was today (November 17) activated as the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) investigated a case of influenza a H5 infection affecting a 59-year-old woman.

The patient developed running nose since November 2 and fever and cough on November 5. She sought medical attention from the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) on November 12. On November 14, she was admitted to TMH for persistent fever and productive cough with blood-stained sputum. She was diagnosed to have pneumonia and is now in serious condition.

A spokesman for the CHP said that the nasopharyngeal aspirate taken from the woman tested positive for Influenza A (H5). Further studies on the virus were in progress.

Investigation revealed that the patient travelled to the Mainland with her husband and daughter between October 23 and November 1, during which she did not have any contact with live poultry contact and had not visited farms.

Her 60-year-old husband had history of running nose and productive cough but has recovered.

"The CHP has stepped up surveillance by testing all severe pneumonia cases for H5," the spokesman said. The serious response level under the Government's Preparedness Plan for influenza pandemic has been activated. A telephone hotline 2125 1111 has been set up to answer public enquiries.

"The CHP is also closely liaising with the Mainland authorities and the Hospital Authority to monitor the situation."

He advised members of the public that the best way to combat influenza infection was to build up body resistance by having a proper diet with adequate exercise and rest.

"Good ventilation should be maintained to avoid the spread of respiratory tract infection.

"Members of the public should seek medical consultation promptly if they develop influenza-like illness.

"Members of the public should also avoid direct contact with poultry and birds, and if contacts have been made, they should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water," the spokesman said.

Ends/Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Issued at HKT 21:16

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201011/17/P201011170291.htm

Edit: another HK government press release:

Woman infected with H5 virus

November 17, 2010

The Government has upgraded its response level for influenza pandemic to 'serious' as a 59-year-old woman is confirmed to have been infected with H5 influenza A virus after a trip to the Mainland.

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow today told reporters the patient is in serious condition with pneumonia symptoms and will be transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital's intensive care unit.



Read more

[Laidback Al]

Re: Hong Kong - Human case of H5N1 Bird Flu Confirmed

Patient Timeline

A 59 year old woman visited Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing, China with her 60 year old husband and daughter (post 5,6) from October 23 to November 1, 2010 (post 10).

The family returned from mainland on November 1, 2010 (post 8), the woman fell ill on November 2 (post 9) and her condition worsened on November 5 (post 10). She may have been admitted to Tuen Hospital on November 5, 2010 for first time (post 8, 10) received drugs and went back to the hospital on November 12 and put in an isolation ward on November 14 (post 10). Her condition has been upgraded to serious (post 13). Husband had a running nose and productive cough (no dates reported ? post 13).

Given that H5N1 has a incubation period of several days, the woman was mostly likely infected in mainland China. It would be interesting to known the results of testing of the husband and daughter. The majority of human to human transmission of H5N1 cases occur between family members.

[sharon sanders]

Re: Hong Kong - Human case of H5N1 Bird Flu Confirmed

Patient Timeline

A 59 year old woman visited Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing, China with her 60 year old husband and daughter (post 5,6) from October 23 to November 1, 2010 (post 10).

The family returned from mainland on November 1, 2010 (post 8), the woman fell ill on November 2 (post 9) and her condition worsened on November 5 (post 10). She may have been admitted to Tuen Hospital on November 5, 2010 for first time (post 8, 10) received drugs and went back to the hospital on November 12 and put in an isolation ward on November 14 (post 10). Her condition has been upgraded to serious (post 13). Husband had a running nose and productive cough (no dates reported – post 13).

Given that H5N1 has a incubation period of several days, the woman was mostly likely infected in mainland China. It would be interesting to known the results of testing of the husband and daughter. The majority of human to human transmission of H5N1 cases occur between family members.

Apparently she felt well enough to walk around Hong Kong in between hospital visits:

"..and also visited Hong Kong to Hong Kong Tuen Mun Chi Lok market,.." posts 8 and 10


So is this a "milder" version of the normally virulent H5N1?