Chairman’s Announcement (16 June 2006)

Avian Flu

The first human case of H5N1 avian flu in Shenzhen was confirmed yesterday.  The patient was a 31-year-old driver.  He had been to wet market where live poultry were sold before developing symptoms.  The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau had announced the following plans for such case: 

• The supply of live poultry, day-old chicks and pet birds from Guangdong Province will be suspended for 21 days with effect from the following day upon the receipt of confirmation.

• Public hospitals should report to the authority's e-Flu system all patients fulfilling the case definition of having pneumonia (all types) of unidentified etiology and who had travelled in the seven days before the onset of symptoms, to affected areas/countries with confirmed human cases of avian influenza infection in the past six months.

In addition, a 7-year-old girl in Indonesia who died last month was confirmed with H5N1 avian influenza.  This is the 50th case confirmed to date in Indonesia, 38 have been fatal.  Staff and students are reminded to stay away from poultry when travelling to China and South East Asia.  Eat only thoroughly cooked chicken and eggs. 

Mosquito Prevention

Due to the geographical location of the campus, the mosquito has already been a nuisance to the university community and can even spread diseases like Dengue Fever.  The Estates Management Office has the following maintenance measures taken from January to May which covers the whole Residential Areas, UC Campus, NAC Campus and half of the Central Areas on campus.  The scope of works includes :

1. Clear fallen leaves & rubbish on channels & catch-pits.

2. Evacuate water & fill the voids with soil & compaction.

3. Fill & compact concrete to the bottoms of sand pits at slope toes to avoid the accumulation of stagnant water.

4. Spray Insecticide Cypermethrin 12% EC to spots at where likely accumulate stagnant water & to weep holes with trace of water.

5. Spray of insecticide has been applied to most of the landscaping areas.

Members of the university are reminded to take the following precautionary measures at all times to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes and avoid mosquito bites:

1. Put all used cans and bottles into dustbins with cover.

2. Change water for plants at least once a week, leaving no water in the saucers underneath flower pots.

3. Cover tightly all water containers, wells and water storage tanks.

4. Inform the EMO if the drains are choked and ask them to top up all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water.

Reminder to Soccer Fans

Soccer fans are reminded to stay health-conscious while watching World Cup games. A few health tips such as:

• Avoid fatty and sugary snacks (e.g. potato chips, candy bars, buttered popcorn).

• Drink plenty of water or plain tea (without added sugar). 

• Sip your drink slowly and do not gulp.  Don't get into rounds during publicity.

• Ensure good ventilation. 

• Stretch yourself and move around while watching the soccer match. 

• Strike a balance between watching matches and fulfilling your social role.

Update of Health Promotion Activities

• A seminar of Update of Hypertension by Prof. K.S. Woo is scheduled on 19 June 2006 (Monday).  For details, please refer to http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/uhs/dochtml/highBp.htm.

• Three Certificate Classes on First Aid is undergoing from June to August this year.  A refresher course will be held in July.

Chairman’s Announcement (2 June 2006)

The Centre on Health Protection has released new guidelines regarding avian influenza and/or influenza pandemic preparedness and they are now available at the CHP website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) under the section Recommendations (http://www.chp.gov.hk/submenu.asp?id=11&pid=&lang=en).  Please note one guideline is on Management of Avian Influenza in University Hostels  (http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/grp_Avian_Flu_U_hostels_en_20060523.pdf).

With the cooperation of various units/departments, the Committee has drawn up a contingency plan for preparation of Avian Influenza in university hostel confinement before Hong Kong enters into the pandemic stage.  The action plan can be found under Important Notices on our website (contingency_plan_hostel.pdf).

As of 31 May 2006, there are 224 human avian flu cases, with 127 fatal.  The Minister of Health in Indonesia confirmed six cases of human infection with H5N1 Avian influenza virus on 29 May.  Three of these cases were fatal.  Based on an assessment of present evidence, WHO has concluded that the current level of pandemic alert is appropriate and does not need to change.  The level of pandemic alert remains at phase 3 which means there is no evidence of the virus spreading from person to person.