Chairman’s Announcement (17 March 2006)

The Ministry of Health in Azerbaijan has reported its first three cases of human infection with the H5 subtype of avian influenza virus.  All three cases were fatal.  One stray dog was tested on H5N1 and was confirmed positive.  So far, there were five dead animals tested with the H5N1 virus, one dog, three cats and one Stone Marten.

H5N1 continues to spread to countries such as Malaysia, Myanmar, Denmark and Afghanistan, causing death to hundred thousand fowls.  As of 14 March 2006, the WHO has confirmed 177 cases (98 deaths) of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus in 7 countries, namely Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam since December 2003.

Students and staff are reminded to take extra precaution when travelling abroad.  Stay away from birds and poultry and eat only thoroughly cooked poultry.  For details, please refer to the Guidelines for Travelling in our website.

Chairman’s Announcement (13 March 2006)

The Avian Flu continues to spread among poultry in Europe.  Albania and Poland are the newly added countries to have H5N1 outbreaks in birds. 

In the past 12 weeks, WHO confirmed a total of 37 human cases worldwide, including: 10 cases (7 deaths) in China, 13 cases (11 deaths) in Indonesia, 2 cases (2 deaths) in Iraq and 12 cases (4 deaths) in Turkey.

As of 10 March 2006, WHO has confirmed 176 cases (97 deaths) of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus in 7 countries since December 2003, namely Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

In the past 7 weeks, 16 local birds were reported to have died of H5 avian influenza.   All cases were confirmed H5N1.  All human contacts of these cases remained asymptomatic.

Students and staff are reminded to take extra precaution when travelling abroad.  Avoid contact with fowls and eat only thoroughly cooked poultry.  Consult your doctor if your have signs of respiratory infection, and keep a record of your travel history.  Please also refer to the Guidelines for Travelling in our webpage.

Chairman’s Announcement (6 March 2006)

The Government and authorities of the Mainland have decided to suspend the supply of live chickens and pet birds to Hong Kong for three weeks after confirmation of the first fatal human case in urban Guangzhou.  This will allow a comprehensive investigation to be conducted into the case.  The ban is needed because the victim had developed fever and pneumonia on 22 February 2006.  He had frequent visits to the wet markets and spent time near where chickens were slaughtered as he wanted to conduct market research for setting up a business.

Hong Kong has not reported any human H5 infection since 2003.  The government will maintain close contact with the travel industry and continue to enhance education for travellers at all immigration control points.  It will also step up measures to collaborate with public and private hospitals, and to update all doctors to enhance surveillance for suspected avian influenza cases.

The Government advises that we should observe good personal and environmental hygiene at all times; keep hands clean, wash hands frequently with liquid soap, especially before eating and touching nose, mouth and eyes; cover mouth and nose with tissue paper when coughing or sneezing; dispose of soiled tissues properly (into a bin with lid) and wash hands thoroughly.

The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection has taken the following preventive measures in the Campus:

-   All canteen management committees have been alerted to make sure that the poultry and eggs are well cooked before being served.

-   A bird prevention program is being conducted by the EMO and the Safety Office for the Chung Chi College Student Canteen.

-   Closely monitoring of the dead birds in the campus.

-   Close surveillance of influenza-like illness has been a routine activity in the UHS.

Staff and students are reminded to take special precautions when traveling to the Mainland and abroad, as the Avian Flu continues to pose threat in China and a few Asian countries. The H5N1 virus is spreading in the birds and fowls in the European countries as well. Stay away from birds and fowls and eat only thoroughly cooked eggs and poultry.  Seek medical advice if you have symptoms of influenza after the trip, and tell the doctors about your recent travel history.  Please refer to our website http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/ for details on personal protection.