Chairman’s Announcement (27 February 2006)

China’s Xinhua News Agency warned that the threat of a massive avian flu outbreak in the country could not be ruled out as it reported two new human cases yesterday.  Twenty-three million fowls have been culled since 2005 to halt the spread of the disease, of which 163,100 were found to contain the H5N1 strain.  China has about 5.2 billion poultry at any one time, which is 21 percent of the world's total.  As for human cases, there were eight deaths among the 14 people infected with the virus.

Hong Kong health officials have outlawed backyard rearing of chickens and increased the surveillance of live poultry markets.  A recent survey has found that the Flu vaccination program covers only a quarter of the elderly population, which is far below the level of Western countries such as 65.5 percent in the US and 70.9 percent in Australia.

All staff, dependants and students are urged to join the vaccination program on March 1 (Wed) if they have not been immunized since Sept. 2005.   The program will take place at the University Health Centre at cost price.

The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection has made preparation and contingency plan to deal with the outbreak of the epidemic in major operational units.  Staff and students are advised to take necessary precaution and make reference to our webpage.

Chairman’s Announcement (16 February 2006)

The H5N1 avian influenza virus was found in swans in Europe this week.  Health authorities in Germany, Austria, Greece and Italy are applying precautionary measures which include the establishment of a 3 km protection zone around the area where the swans were found, and a surrounding surveillance zone of 10 km.  In the protection zone, poultry must be kept indoors, movement of poultry is banned except directly to the slaughterhouse.  The avian influenza situation in all affected countries will be reviewed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health in Belgium.  In Russia, the sudden death of 30,000 chickens in a farm were tested for H5N1 with positive result.  This is the first time the virus was found in Russia in the last twelve months.

In the last three months, 39 cases of avian influenza were confirmed worldwide.  In Indonesia, two women died last week were confirmed to have the H5N1 virus, and a 23-year-old man has just died of avian influenza.  In Hong Kong, 8 cases of confirmed avian influenza infection in birds had been reported in the last month.  So far, all human contacts of these bird cases had not shown any symptoms.

Members of the University are reminded to stay away from poultry and birds, particularly when travelling to the countries mentioned above.  Influenza vaccination is available in the University Health Service at cost price.

Chairman’s Announcement (11 February 2006)

The dead bird found near New Asia College earlier this week was tested negative for H5N1. The University Management and the University Safety and Environment Office are closely monitoring the situation. However, as a health protection measure, we should avoid touching any "wild" cats in the Campus. Cats are commonly known to "play" with birds, live or dead. Notify the Security Office if any cats are seen wandering about.

Chairman’s Announcement (10 February 2006)

The confirmation of H5N1 in domestic birds in Nigeria marks the further geographical spread of avian influenza. The Nigerian Government is going to spend US$ 13 million for compensation to farmers for the killing of chickens.

As Hong Kong is in a heightened state of alert against Avian Flu, the government is planning to build a central poultry slaughterhouse in the New Territories after 10 birds and chickens have been tested positive for the virus recently.

For those who have not been immunized against influenza can avail themselves of influenza vaccination at the Health Centre at cost price.  The canteen caterers and food handlers have attended a talk on update of the highly pathogenic situation.  Guidelines were discussed at handling of fowl and thorough cooking of the poultry and eggs are emphasized.  Most of them received the influenza vaccine.

Chairman’s Announcement (8 February 2006)

A dead chicken found in a street near the Tuen Mun typhoon shelter on Saturday was tested to be infected with H5N1 yesterday.  An urgent warning to anyone who has close contact with the dumped chicken or with poultry in Tuen Mun area should seek medical advice if they develop symptoms of respiratory disease.

A new rule will come into effect on Monday preventing anyone keeping any live chickens at home.  Breaches of the new ban on poultry farming at home or taking home live poultry bought from markets will be subjected to a fine of $50,000 to $100,000 upon conviction.  The amendment to the Public Health (Animal and Birds) Regulation will be gazetted today.  Until now, backyard poultry farmer is permitted to keep up to 20 birds.  Since 10 January 2006, there were five birds and two chickens tested with positive H5N1 viruses.  They were found in Taipo, Sha Tau Kok, Wong Tai Sin, Sham Tseng and Tuen Mun.  The staff from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) are picking up hundreds of dead birds for testing everyday.  The Centre of Health Protection has setup a hotline 2575-1221 on this issue.  For further details, please visit the website at www.chp.gov.hk.

Anyone who find dead birds on campus should report to Security Unit at 2609-7999, which will contact AFCD for collection of the bird carcasses.  The Security Unit and the University Safety and Environment Office will closely monitor the situation. 

Staff and students are reminded to observe good personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds and live poultry. Eat only thoroughly cooked egg and poultry.  An Influenza vaccination programme is scheduled on 9 February 2006 (Thursday) in the Health Centre from 9am to 5pm.  The cost is $50 (including vaccination fee).  Please call 2609-6428 for further information.

Chairman’s Announcement (4 February 2006)

With immediate effect and until further notice, all bird carcasses discovered on campus should be reported to the Security Unit (phone number 2609-7999) which will then contact the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to arrange for collection of the carcasses.  Do not touch the bird carcasses and avoid contacting bird droppings without proper means of protection.  Please refer to the guidelines in the web site for details.

A talk for canteen staff on Updates of Avian Flu organized by the University Health Service will be held on 8 February 2006 at 4pm - 5pm at L1, Science Centre.  All canteen workers and food handlers are welcome.  The canteen caterers are reminded to have poultry and eggs thoroughly cooked before serving. 

The next Influenza Vaccination Campaign for all students, staff and their dependents will be held at 9 February 2006 at University Health Service.  Those who have not been immunized since September 2005 are advised to come for vaccination.  The cost is $50 (including vaccination fee).   For details, please visit the UHS website http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/uhs/dochtml/fluvac_cam_060209.htm

The University Library has for years been a favorite nesting area by swallows.  As a precaution to prevent passersby from walking underneath the swallow nests outside the Library, the Estates Management Office has placed nice pot plants to block a section of the pedestrian walkway near the carpark entrance of Tin Ka Ping Building leading up to the central steps.  “No Parking” signs are also posted to inform drivers not to park their cars in that area.  Pot plants are also placed around areas beneath the swallow nests outside Sir Run Run Shaw Hall.

Chairman’s Announcement (2 February 2006)

Welcome back and hope everybody enjoyed the happy Chinese New Year's holiday.

There were three birds and one chicken infected with H5N1 within the last two weeks which reveals that the virus is already in Hong Kong.

The infected chicken found in Sha Tau Kok was brought from an unknown source in Guangdong.  The family members who ate another chicken brought from the Mainland were tested for the virus with negative result.

The Government closed all public aviaries and Mai Po Nature Reserve and ordered all households within 5km of the affected village in Sha Tau Kok to surrender their chickens for culling.

The H5N1 virus has killed 85 people, most of them in South East Asia and the Mainland since 2003.

• The SARS / Avian Flu Task Force has stepped up the precaution. A new ultrasound machine (for trial use) has been purchased and delivered to Chung Chi Student Canteen on 2 February for trial use.  The equipment will generate ultrasonic sound which is said to frighten the birds away and we will observe the effectiveness of the equipment in the next few days. 
  

• A talk will be conducted for all canteen workers to increase their awareness on the handling of fowl and to remind them of the flu vaccination.
  

• Anyone who find bird carcass on campus should call Security Unit at 2609-7999.  AVOID handling the dead birds directly yourself.  Staff at Security Unit will follow up by contacting the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to make arrangement to pick up the bird carcasses.
  

• Students, staff and their dependants who have not been immunized for Influenza can come to the University Health Centre for vaccination at cost. 
  

• AAPC has approved the SARS / Avian Flu Task Force to be renamed Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (健康促進及防護委員會), with the same membership.
  

• Staff and students are reminded again to stay away from wild birds and poultry. Only eat thoroughly cooked chicken and eggs.  Observe good personal hygiene which include hand washing, care with food and drink, and consult doctor when you are unwell.  Please visit the guidelines on our website.