Archive - Hong Kong PRC SAR, pandemic influenza, information update, news (January to March 2010)

[Ronan Kelly]

Hong Kong reports 53rd death related to new flu

2010-01-03 20:03:30 Print

HONG KONG, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong Hospital Authority announced Sunday that a 49-year-old male patient with a history of diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome died earlier after he was confirmed to have contracted the A/H1N1 flu, becoming the 53rd person in the city claimed by the epidemic.

The patient was admitted to the United Christian Hospital on Dec. 22 with fever and other flu-like symptoms, since when he has been on ventilation support. He was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. The patient's condition became critical and was transferred to the intensive care unit on Dec. 23.

According to a spokesman of the hospital, the patient tested positive for the A/H1N1 flu on Dec. 24 and finally succumbed on Jan. 2.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/03/content_12748383.htm

[Shiloh]

2 more swine flu virus mutations found

Source: http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/h...112en05008.htm


January 12, 2010
Surveillance
*
2 swine flu virus mutations found
*
Centre for Health Protection

The Centre for Health Protection has detected two more human swine flu virus strains with mutations similar to the one Norway reported last year.

The new cases involve two women, aged 53 and 59. The former came down with flu symptoms on December 2 and is in North District Hospital in stable condition. The other fell ill December 12 and died on December 19 in Kwong Wah Hospital.

Meanwhile, the specimen of a case announced on November 23 involving a 13-month-old child has tested negative for the mutation. The child has recovered.

Hong Kong has had nine mutation cases so far.

[Commonground]

Re: 2 more swine flu virus mutations found

The other fell ill December 12 and died on December 19 in Kwong Wah Hospital.

Onset to Death 7 days.

The former came down with flu symptoms on December 2 and is in North District Hospital in stable condition.

Still recovering in the hospital after more than a month after onset.

[Shiloh]

354 pregnant women infected with A/H1N1 as of 1/25

Source: http://7thspace.com/headlines/332389...influenza.html

354 pregnant women infected with human swine influenza


Hong Kong (HKSAR) - In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 25) said that so far, 354 pregnant women in Hong Kong were tested positive for human swine influenza. Among them, one was a serious case. The spokesman said that the Scientific Committees under the CHP had reviewed local and international experiences to make the recommendation for target groups in the vaccination programme.

He noted that the World Health Organization and health authorities of the US and European countries included pregnant women as a priority group for vaccination.

Source: HKSAR Government

[Ronan Kelly]

47/f dod 1/31 - 65th fatality

Kwong Wah Hospital announces a HSI fatal case


Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) spokesman made the following announcement regarding the death of a human swine influenza (HSI) patient today (January 31): A 47-year-old female patient with hypertension developed flu symptoms on January 21 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of KWH on January 24.The patient was admitted to isolation ward for clinical treatment on the same day. Tamiflu and antibiotic were prescribed. Positive result of HSI was confirmed on January 25.Her condition deteriorated and she was transferred to Intensive Care Unit on January 25.

She finally succumbed at about 11am today (January 31). The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection. The hospital would like to express its condolences to the deceased??s family.

Source: HKSAR Government

http://7thspace.com/headlines/333271/kwong_wah_hospital_announces_a_hsi_fatal_case.html

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: 47/f dod 1/31

You are here: Home > swine flu > News HK reports 65th fatal case of A/H1N1 flu 0 CommentsPrint E-mail Xinhua, February 1, 2010 Adjust font size: The Hospital Authority of Hong Kong announced on Sunday that a 47-year-old woman with hypertension died after she was confirmed to have contracted the A/ H1N1 flu, bringing the death toll of the flu to 65 in the city.

The patient developed flu symptoms on Jan. 21, attended the Accident and Emergency Department of the Kwong Wah Hospital on Jan. 24, a hospital spokesman said.

She was admitted to isolation ward for clinical treatment on the same day, and prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotic. She tested positive for the A/H1N1 flu on Jan. 25, and her condition deteriorated on the day. She finally succumbed on Sunday morning.

The case was reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Center for Health Protection of Hong Kong.

http://www.china.org.cn/health/swineflu/2010-02/01/content_19340755.htm

[Ronan Kelly]

Hong Kong reports 66th fatal case of A/H1N1 flu

Hong Kong reports 66th fatal case of A/H1N1 flu
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-07 21:02 Comments(0) PrintMail Large Medium Small

HONG KONG: A 58-year-old man with diabetes and high blood pressure died in Hong Kong's North District Hospital days after he was found to have contracted A/H1N1 flu, bringing the toll of the epidemic to 66 in the city, health officials announced on Sunday.

The man developed fever and cough in the neighboring mainland city of Shenzhen January 10, said a spokesperson of North District Hospital (NDH), adding that the man sought medical treatment in a local hospital there January 16 and was prescribed Tamiflu and antibiotics.

The patient tested positive for the A/H1N1 flu virus January 17 and had been put on ventilator support since January 24.

"Since the condition of the patient had deteriorated, he was transferred to NDH January 27 and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment. The patient finally succumbed at 1:14 pm on February 6," the spokesperson said.

The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Center for Health Protection.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02/07/content_9440510.htm

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong reports 66th fatal case of A/H1N1 flu

Hong Kong: A fatal case of human swine influenza patient at North District Hospital (2/7/10)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson of North District Hospital (NDH) made the following announcement today (February 7) regarding the death of a human swine influenza (HSI) patient:

A 58-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus and hypertension developed fever and cough in Shenzhen on January 10. He was admitted to a local hospital on January 16 and prescribed Tamiflu and antibiotics. Positive result of HSI was confirmed on January 17. The patient has been put on ventilator support since January 24. Since the condition of the patient had deteriorated, he was transferred to NDH on January 27 and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment. The patient finally succumbed at 1:14pm yesterday (February 6). The hospital would like to express condolences to the patient's family.

The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection.
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[Ronan Kelly]

Hong Kong reports 68th fatal case of A/H1N1 flu

Hong Kong reports 68th fatal case of A/H1N1 flu

English.news.cn 2010-02-11 21:10:51 FeedbackPrintRSS

HONG KONG, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong Hospital Authority announced Thursday that a 47-year-old male patient had died of A/ H1N1 flu-related disease, bringing the toll of the epidemic to 68 in the region.

The patient with chronic illness and receiving liver and renal transplant in the Mainland developed flu and pneumonia symptoms on Dec. 30, 2009. He attended the Kwong Wah Hospital on the same day and was admitted to isolation ward for clinical treatment.

His condition deteriorated and was transferred to Intensive Care Unit. Tamiflu and antibiotic were prescribed on Jan. 5 and positive result of A/H1N1 flu was confirmed on Jan. 7. He later developed opportunistic infection leading to multi-organ failure. The patient finally succumbed Wednesday night.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2010-02/11/c_13172781.htm

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong reports 68th fatal case of A/H1N1 flu

Hong Kong: Fatal case of human swine influenza in Kwong Wah Hospital (2/11/10)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) spokesman made the following announcement regarding the death of a human swine influenza (HSI) patient today (February 11):

A 47-year-old male patient with chronic illness and receiving liver and renal transplant in Mainland developed flu and pneumonia symptoms on December 30, 2009.

He attended the Outpatient Department of KWH on the same day and was admitted to isolation ward for clinical treatment.

His condition deteriorated and was transferred to Intensive Care Unit.

Tamiflu and antibiotic were prescribed on January 5 and positive result of HSI was confirmed on January 7.

He later developed opportunistic infection leading to multi-organ failure.

The patient finally succumbed last night (February 10).

The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection.

The hospital would like to express its condolences to the deceased's family.
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[Ronan Kelly]

Princess Margaret Hospital announced a fatal case of human swine influenza (2/16/10)

Princess Margaret Hospital announced a fatal case of human swine influenza


Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) today (February 16) announced a fatal case of human swine influenza (HSI): A 53-year-old male patient with diabetes and end-stage renal failure attended the Accident & Emergency Department of PMH on February11 due to fever and pneumonia syndrome. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit on February 12. The test result for human swine influenza was confirmed positive on February 13.

The patient was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. His condition remained critical and he finally succumbed this morning. The hospital would like to express its condolences to the patient's family.

The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection.

Source: HKSAR Government

http://7thspace.com/headlines/335251/princess_margaret_hospital_announced_a_fatal_case_of_human_swine_influenza.html

[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: Expert group concludes on four reported cases of serious adverse events following HSI vaccination (2/25/10, edited))

Hong Kong: Expert group concludes on four reported cases of serious adverse events following HSI vaccination (2/25/10, edited))

The Expert Group on Serious Adverse Events With History of Human Swine Influenza (HSI) Vaccination today (February 25) discussed four cases reported to the Centre for Health Protection recently.

• The first case was one of intrauterine death (IUD) affecting a 28-year-old pregnant woman at 39 weeks of gestation.
  • The expert group noted that the patient received HSI vaccine on December 21, 2009, more than seven weeks before the diagnosis of IUD, at a Maternal and Child Health Centre. Pathological examinations on the placenta and fetus have been done, pending final results.
  • The expert group noted that about 150 to 220 cases of IUD occur in Hong Kong every year.
  • A significant proportion (15 to 70 per cent) of them does not have identifiable causes.
  • As of February 22, 2010, a total of 1,423 pregnant women have received HSI vaccine.
  • So far, the proportion of IUD among vaccinated women has not exceeded the local baseline incidence of IUD which is about 0.2 to 0.4 per cent of total deliveries (including live births and stillbirths).
  • Monitoring of hospital records of IUD from the Hospital Authority (HA) showed that incidence of IUD is within the background level in Hong Kong.
  • "Extensive overseas experience and the World Health Organization (WHO) have confirmed the lack of any demonstrable association of HSI vaccination with IUD. There is currently no evidence that HSI vaccines increase the chance of IUD based on both local data and international experience," a spokesman for the expert group said. "It is unlikely that this IUD case was caused by HSI vaccination."
• In the second case, the patient was a 75-year-old woman who presented with bilateral lower limb weakness on February 8, 2010 and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
  • The clinical picture and laboratory investigations of this patient are compatible with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). Tracheal aspirate taken on February 17, 2010 grew Haemophilus Influenzae. The patient received HSI vaccine on December 31, 2009 at a public outpatient clinic, more than five weeks before the onset of symptoms.
  • "Literature review revealed that the majority of GBS cases that were temporally associated with seasonal influenza vaccination occur between the second and the third week, with a median latency of 13 days," the spokesman said.
  • "To date, the WHO has found no evidence suggesting a causal relationship between GBS and HSI vaccination and the reported number of GBS cases worldwide has been in line with usual background rates prior to the introduction of such vaccines."
  • In Hong Kong, about 40 to 60 GBS cases are seen in public hospitals each year as a matter of baseline incidence. The expert group noted that the incidence of GBS is higher among elderly persons and during the winter season.
  • A statistical analysis was performed using local GBS data to ascertain if there is higher than expected incidence of GBS among vaccinated persons in Hong Kong.
  • "The observed number of two GBS cases among vaccinated persons so far lies within normal expectation of baseline incidence that would occur in a population of 170,000 (regardless of vaccination history), adjusted for age and seasonal effects," the spokesman said.
  • "In other words, HSI vaccination is not associated with increased incidence of GBS."
• The third case involved a 34-year-old man with unremarkable past health who developed headache on February 20, 2010, followed by diplopia on February 21, 2010.
  • He received HSI vaccine on December 21, 2009, more than eight weeks before the onset of symptoms.
  • His condition improved after treatment in hospital and he was discharged on February 24, 2010. He is now being investigated and followed up to ascertain the final diagnosis.
  • The expert group noted that according to medical literature, the majority of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) cases that were temporally associated (not necessarily causally related) with vaccination occur between five days and six weeks. The group considered that his illness was unlikely to be caused by HSI vaccination.
• The fourth case was an 80-year-old male patient with history of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, renal impairment and asthma.
  • He presented with sudden onset of limb paralysis and loss of voice on February 5, 2010 and was admitted to hospital on the same day.
  • He received HSI vaccination on December 29, 2009, about six weeks before the onset of symptoms.
  • He is now in critical condition.
  • The expert group considered that the patient's current clinical features are compatible with ADEM.
  • "Based on discharge records of HA, preliminary data shows that between some 40 and 70 cases of ADEM, transverse myelitis and encephalomyelitis are recorded every year in Hong Kong.
  • "To date, the WHO has found no evidence suggesting a causal relationship between these neurological conditions and HSI vaccination," the spokesman said.

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[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: Critical case of human swine influenza in United Christian Hospital (2/25/10)

Hong Kong: Critical case of human swine influenza in United Christian Hospital (2/25/10)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

A spokesperson of United Christian Hospital (UCH) made the following announcement regarding a new critical case of human swine influenza (HSI) today (February 25):

A 50-year-old female patient with end stage renal failure developed flu symptoms and attended the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of UCH on February 20.

She was being treated and discharged the same day. She was admitted to the Renal Ward via AED yesterday (February 24) with fever and shortness of breath. Her test result for HSI was confirmed positive yesterday and she was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. Her condition deteriorated and she was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit today. She is in critical condition now and requires ventilatory support.

The hospital is closely monitoring her condition.
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[tetano]

Hong Kong Flu deaths up to 73 cases of

Xinhua 2010年2月23日 February 23, 2010



新华网香港 Xinhua Hong Kong 2月23日 February 23 电香港医院管理局23日公布，一名患有甲型H1N1流感的51岁男性病人当天死亡。 Hong Kong Hospital Authority on the 23rd Electric announced a 51 suffering from influenza A H1N1 influenza year-old male patient died the same day. 这是香港出现的第73例甲型H1N1流感死亡病例。 This is the first to emerge in 73 cases of Influenza A H1N1 influenza deaths.

据介绍，死者患有末期肺癌，因发烧、咳嗽于 According to reports, the deceased had suffered the end of lung cancer, fever, cough in the 2月16日 February 16 到急症室求诊，并被安排入院治疗，次日确诊感染甲型H1N1流感。 A & E department and were admitted for treatment, the next day confirmed infected with influenza A H1N1 influenza. 由于情况持续恶化，这位病人于23日证实不治。 As the situation continues to deteriorate, the patient was 23, was certified dead.

http://www.scdc.sh.cn/mtgzContent.shtml?id=11149

[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong: SFH on healthcare expenses and human swine influenza (3/1/10)

Hong Kong: SFH on healthcare expenses and human swine influenza (3/1/10)

Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a media stand-up session after attending a radio programme today (March 1):

Reporter:
(budget plan to spend on dental healthcare for the elderly)

Secretary for Food and Health:
There are many items in the budget regarding improvement of primary care. The Government has put aside $600 million for this particular aspect and that includes the setting up of a centre to co-ordinate primary care, and also setting up of a pilot community health centre. We will also be introducing some public and private partnership in managing chronically ill patients like diabetic and hyper-tension. We have also put aside $21 million as a pilot for improvement of dental care for the elderly. The details will be discussed together with the dental association and also the local dentists. So, the details will not be revealed until later on.

Reporter:
(on human swine flu)

Secretary for Food and Health:
According to the World Health Organisation, the world is going through the so-called post-peak period and so it does not mean that the pandemic is over yet. But I think the peak in general in the Northern Hemisphere has come down. We are seeing increasing cases only in the Middle-East, North Africa and South Asia. For Hong Kong, we are not seeing any sign of winter peak so far and the number of H1N1 has not increased. We saw some of the increases in Influenza B cases in the last two weeks. So we do not know whether that is the sign of our winter peak being dominated by Influenza B or not. According to the expert analysis, because of the long summer peak we had in 2009 lasted for four and a half months, it may be the reason why we do not have a big winter peak as predicted for previous year. As far as the vaccine goes, we are still keeping the vaccine because we do not know whether we will need it in the coming months. We will be purchasing the seasonal flu vaccine for the coming winter at the end of 2010. By the time that the new vaccine comes in October or November, of course we do not require the current vaccine to protect us then.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
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