Chairman’s Announcement (27 July 2006)

H5N1

A 17-year-old man had been confirmed H5N1 avian influenza in Thailand. The patient developed symptoms on 15 July, was hospitalized on 20 July and died on 24 July.

Since 2006, the WHO confirmed a total of 88 cases worldwide, including: 8 cases (5 deaths) in Azerbaijan, 2 cases (2 deaths) in Cambodia, 11 cases (7 deaths) in China, 1 case (0 death) in Djibouti, 14 cases (6 deaths) in Egypt, 37 cases (31 deaths) in Indonesia, 2 cases (2 deaths) in Iraq, 1 case (1 death) in Thailand and 12 cases (4 deaths) in Turkey.

Domestic cats may be widely susceptible to infection with the avian flu H5N1 virus, according to scientists who reported the virus in two dead cats in northern Iraq.

Staff and students are reminded to stay away from chickens when traveling to China and South East Asia.  Eat only thoroughly cooked poultry and eggs.

Beware of Hot Weather

We need to maintain the optimal body temperature within safe limits.  In this hot climate, we need to beware of heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.  Symptoms of heat exhaustion include giddiness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath and mental confusion.  When the body temperature reaches 41°C or higher, there will be convulsion or unconsciousness, indicative of heat stroke, which can be fatal.  The obese, sick, old and young are more easily affected.  The body temperature must be brought down immediately and emergency medical intervention given, or else life will be in great danger.

Precautions:

1.          Maintain good ventilation.

2.          Avoid vigorous exercise in a hot or stuffy environment.

3.          Protect from direct sunlight, wear a hat or use umbrella while going outdoors.

4.          Drink plenty of fluid to prevent dehydration, especially when performing physical activities.

5.          Seek medical attention if feeling unwell.

Chairman’s Announcement (5 July 2006)

In view of the recent spate of noroviral gastroenteritis outbreaks in public hospitals and elderly homes, the Committee would like to remind members of the University to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene practices, especially the importance of good handwashing practice.  Here is some information and useful links on prevention of Noroviruses:

Noroviruses (also known as Norwalk-like viruses or small round structured viruses SRSVs) cause acute gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea).

Persons can acquire the infection from:

1. Food or water contaminated by infected food handlers or at its source e.g. shellfish.

2. Person to person spread occurs via direct and indirect contact with faeces and vomitus.

3. Contaminated environment (e.g. toilet, swimming pool) can be a major source of outbreak.

4. Aerosol from contaminated environment or projectile vomiting.

After exposure to the virus, there will be an incubation period of 24-48 hours before symptoms occurs, which includes:

1. Vomiting (predominant early symptom)

2. Abdominal pain

3. Watery diarrhea

4. Fever (low-grade, not present in all cases)

5. Dehydration (may occur in young children or elderly)

6. The illnesses usually last for 1-2 days without chronic sequel

Special notes:

1. Norovirus is highly infectious.

2. Persons become infectious from symptom onset and may last for 2 weeks after recovery.

3. Control on personal hygiene of infected persons, and thorough environmental cleansing (e.g. household bleach (5.25%) diluted in 1:49 water) are the keys to prevent secondary spread.

4. University hostels and areas with high human density are at risk for norovirus outbreak.

5. Students and staff should be alert for symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, and prompt for advice from University Health Clinic.

 Useful links:

(English version)

“Norwalk-like Viruses Infection” issued by Centre for Health Protection
http://www.chp.gov.hk/content.asp?lang=en&info_id=33&id=24&pid=9

“Territory-wide efforts to prevent noroviral gastroenteritis” issued by Centre for Health Protection
http://www.chp.gov.hk/view_content.asp?lang=en&info_id=7045

“CHP keeps close watch on noroviral gastroenteritis” issued by Centre for Health Protection
http://www.chp.gov.hk/view_content.asp?lang=en&info_id=7018

(Chinese version)

諾沃克類病毒感染
http://www.chp.gov.hk/content.asp?lang=tc&info_id=33&id=24&pid=9

全港性措施防範諾沃克病毒引致的腸胃炎
http://www.chp.gov.hk/view_content.asp?lang=tc&info_id=7045

生防護中心密切監察諾沃克病毒引致的腸胃炎
http://www.chp.gov.hk/view_content.asp?lang=tc&info_id=7018