Chairman’s Announcement (23 February 2005) 

Influenza Outbreak 

More patients are being seen at the University Health Service (UHS) for Flu-Like-Illness and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in recent weeks.  The increasing trend is noted since mid-November last year when about 80 to 110 such patients are seen per day.  During the first half of January 2005, the number shot up to over 130 a day.  Since mid-January till recently, there was a slight drop to about 110 a day in the average.  There is no evidence of any outbreak of influenza on campus.  The majority of patients who attended suffered mild forms of the illness.  The above picture corresponds generally with the picture presented in the Government influenza surveillance activities.   

Since September 2004, UHS had offered vaccination service to over 1500 persons.  UHS will organize further campaigns for others on 23/2/05, 10-11/3/05 & 7-8/4/05. 

Staff and students are urged to continue to observe the precautionary measures issued previously on prevention of respiratory illnesses.  These measures focus on personal hygiene, environmental hygiene, vaccination, seeking medical advice when feeling unwell and take extra health precaution when traveling abroad. 

Chairman’s Announcement (16 February 2005) 

The Department of Health on 15 Feb 2005 confirmed an imported case of malaria occurring in Hong Kong.  The patient travelled to Guinea in Africa since 21 Nov 2004, and returned to Hong Kong on 10 Feb 2005 with symptoms of fever, malaise and neck pain.  So far in Hong Kong this year, there were 4 cases of malaria, all imported. 

The Department of Health cautions that we should stay alert to the threat of malaria and take measures to avoid mosquito bites: 

            install mosquito screens and mosquito nets.

            use insect repellents over exposed parts of the body.

            wear long sleeved clothes and long trousers when going out.

           when travelling to areas where malaria is common, consult a doctor (or Mrs. Pauline Kan of UHS, Tel: 2609-6436, Email: pauline-kan@cuhk.edu.hk) two to three weeks beforehand for preventive measures and medication if necessary. 

Anyone feeling unwell during their visits abroad or after returning from their trip should consult a doctor as soon as possible and provide details of their travel to the doctor. 

Chairman’s Announcement (2 February 2005)  

There are 258 Bacterial Meningitis with 16 deaths in Mainland China since January this year. Most of the cases have been reported from Jiangsu and Anhui. Guangdong has 11 cases with 2 death cases.  

The presentation of meningococcal infection is sudden onset of fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck. It is transmitted by direct and droplets contact. The bacteria could enter into the blood stream and cause meningococcaemia. Early stage can be treated by antibiotics effectively. The incubation period is from 2 to 10 days. 

Travellers going to high risk areas are reminded to practice good personal hygiene and wash hands properly. Avoid going to crowded areas. The University Health Service has limited vaccines for people travelling to the high risk areas. Orders have been placed for more vaccines and it is expected to arrive in two to three weeks' time. 

For more information, please refer to the Hong Kong Travellers’ Health Service website: www.info.gov.hk/trhealth/e_HKTHS.htm.

Chairman’s Announcement (1 February 2005) 

Meningococcal Meningitis

Hong Kong is seeking more information from the mainland on the outbreak of Bacterial Meningitis which kills 16 people in six weeks. The latest cases are mainly in Jiangsu and Anhui province. Guangdong has reported eleven cases.  The symptoms of the disease are stiff neck, high fever, sensitive to bright light, confusion, headaches and vomiting. There were four cases of Meningococcal infection reported in Hong Kong last year.  The University Health Service can provide vaccine for those who are going to high risk areas at cost price. 

Influenza Pandemic Preparation

Influenza pandemic are sudden and unpredictable events. The government has prepared a contingency plan for the pandemic which match the WHO's guideline for the pandemic planning. The plan envisages three response levels: Alert, Serious and Emergency.

Alert Response Level : 

(1)    Confirmation of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak in poultry outside Hong Kong or in wild or imported birds.

(2)    Confirmation of human cases of Avian Influenza outside Hong Kong. 

Serious Response Level:

(1)    Confirmation of HPAI poultry outbreak in HK and the strain is known as human health impact.

(2)    Confirmation of human Avian Influenza in Hong Kong without evident of human to human transmission. 

Emergency Response Level :

(1)    Confirm efficient human to human transmission in Hong Kong.

(2)    Pandemic Influenza in Hong Kong. 

Up to now, Bird Flu has killed 44 people since 2004, 32 in Vietnam and 12 in Thailand. Recently, a Cambodian woman might be the first person in Cambodia found to be infected by the H5N1 virus. 

Travellers going to Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia are reminded to stay away from farms and bird markets and to minimize the exposure to birds and uncooked poultry. Make sure the poultry and eggs are thoroughly cooked. Wash hands and utensils thoroughly after handling raw poultry and eggs. 

If you have symptoms such as fever, difficulty in breathing or coughing, seek prompt medical attention.  The Campus SARS/Flu Task Force has established corresponding contingency plan for the preparation for the Flu/Avian Flu outbreak. 

The University Health Service is organizing a Vaccination Day for Influenza on February 23 (Wed). Those who have not yet been immunized this year can come for the vaccine at cost price.