Chairman’s Announcement (16 May 2006)

Health Protection :

Food authorities in Hong Kong are keeping a close surveillance on the imported eggs as there was a report on the sudden deaths of 30,000 chickens in a key farm in Dalian, Liaoning Province.  There are concerns that some eggs from this farm which might have been infected with the bird flu virus may have been imported to Hong Kong.  Please be reminded that the poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Wash your hands carefully after handling eggs and chickens. 

WHO announced that a fifth member of an Indonesian family had died of bird flu.  The other four died from the disease early last week.  In all, eight members of the family in Tanah Karo village on Sumatra were suspected of having contracted the virulent H5N1 bird flu virus.  WHO has confirmed 208 cases (115 deaths) of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus in 10 countries.  So far, there is no evidence of efficient human-to-human transmission of H5N1 virus.        Since 2006, 17 local birds were confirmed to have died of H5N1 avian influenza.  The latest case was a Peregrine Falcon found in Tin Shui Wai on 21 March 2006.  All human contacts remained asymptomatic.

Health Promotion Activities :

-    Three First Aid Classes and one Refresher Course have been arranged for all staff, with nomination by their department from May to August 2006.  These    courses are jointly organised by University Health Service, Safety Office and Hong Kong Red Cross.

-    Seminar on Update of Immunization (CME accreditation seminar) has been arranged on 17 May 2006.  For details please visit http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/uhs/dochtml/child.htm

-    Seminar on how to cope with Insomnia by Dr. C.N. Chen will be scheduled on 24 May 2006 (CME accreditation seminar). For details, please visit http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/uhs/dochtml/insomnia.htm

-    A summer camp on Healthy Young Leaders' Training, jointly organised by University Health Service, CUHK Staff Association and School of Chinese Medicine, is catered for the children of our staff, aged 12 to 17.  For details, please visit http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/uhs/dochtml/poster01_0502A.jpg