Chairman’s Announcement (17 December 2008)

The Centre for Food Safety had announced immediate suspension of poultry eggs import from Jiangsu Province into Hong Kong following the confirmation of H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in poultry in the province. Since the discovery of H5 virus in a farm at Yuen Long on 9 December 2008, the Government has suspended sales of fresh chicken for 21 days and strengthened quarantine measures in local poultry farms.

Canteen inspection in campus has been stepped up by the canteen management committees, in collaboration with the University Health Service and the University Safety and Environment Office. Staff and students are reminded to stay alert and observe the preventive measures for avian flu and influenza infection. Remember to wash hands frequently and eat only well-cooked chickens and eggs.

University Health Service provides influenza vaccination for staff and students at $100, while the cost is $75 during influenza vaccination campaign. The next round of influenza vaccination campaign will be held on 16 January 2009 at UHS. Staff and students are encouraged to get vaccinated if they have not done so in September - December 2008. Health science students can contact their Faculty Office or UHS regarding the vaccination arrangements for them.

Chairman’s Announcement (10 December 2008)

Serious Response Level Activated

The Government has activated the Serious Response Level following the poultry outbreak caused by influenza A/H5 at a farm in Yuen Long on 9 December 2008.  200 chickens died in the poultry farm, most of them were sentinel non-vaccinated chickens used to watch out for bird flu.

A series of control measures has been taken immediately by the Government to stop the spread of the virus, including culling all chickens within a 3km radius of the index farm, banning the sales of local farm chickens to retail markets and suspending poultry imports for 21 days. Although there is no human infection of avian influenza in relation to this incident, two new confirmed human cases (one fatal and one recovered) were reported in Indonesia on 9 December.

The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection has raised the university level of response to the Serious Response Level. Staff and students are invited to have a detail look at all the precautionary measures listed in the CHPP website (http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/index.html) and the Centre for Health Protection website (http://www.chp.gov.hk/view_content.asp?lang=en&info_id=590).

Staff and students are advised to stay vigilant and observe the following preventive measures:

- wash hand thoroughly and frequently;
- eat only thoroughly cooked chickens and eggs;
- stay away from poultry, wild birds and their droppings;
- report to the Security Unit (Tel. 2609-7999) if there is dead bird discovered in campus;
- remind the food handlers and laboratory personnel to take extra physical care when handling the poultry;
- wear a mask if you have any symptom of respiratory diseases; and
- report to the University Health Service if you develop fever, signs and symptoms of respiratory illness after contact with poultry and birds or having eaten undercooked poultry recently.

So far, 15 countries have reported human infection of avian influenza, with 246 fatal among the 389 cases. This year (2008) there are 14 countries reported with H5N1 found in poultries, most of them in Asia.

Chairman’s Announcement (31 October 2008)

The peak season of influenza is approaching. University Health Service provides influenza vaccination for all staff, their dependants and students. This year, the vaccine contains the following types of influenza-like virus:

• A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)
  
• A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)
  
• B/Florida/4/2006

The influenza vaccination campaign will schedule on 12-14 November 2008, from 9:00am to 5:30pm. The cost of influenza vaccination is $75 per dose. Details can be seen at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/uhs/en/news/fluvac_081112.pdf.

The influenza vaccination for high-risk group has been organized on 23-24 October 2008. The next round will be on 25, 26 and 28 November 2008. Relevant departments and units will receive memo regarding the details and venue, both in Prince of Wales Hospital and in the campus.

Besides vaccination, the following prevention measures should be observed, such as:

• maintain good personal hygiene;
  
• build up good immunity by having proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest and avoid smoking;
  
• maintain good indoor ventilation and avoid going to crowded places; and
  
• eat well-cooked poultry and eggs.

Chairman’s Announcement (10 July 2008)

The Government lowered the response level of Avian Flu to Alert Response Level on 9 July 2008. Staff and students are reminded to stay alert and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. Avoid contact with poultry and their droppings. Eat only thoroughly cooked eggs and chickens. We will keep monitor of the situation and will update information regularly at our website.

Chairman’s Announcement (18 June 2008)

An outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza among ducks was reported in Jiangmen, Guangdong yesterday. In view of the confirmed avian influenza case, the Food and Health Bureau imposed a 21-day ban on imports of poultry and pet birds within 13km of the infected area. A mass culling of all poultry in retail markets was carried out last week following the detection of H5N1 virus in four local wet markets. Imports of live poultry from the Mainland and supplies from local chicken farms were suspended with immediate effect for 21 days.

An urgent CHPP meeting was convened on 12 June. It is working closely with University Health Service, Estates Management Office, University Safety and Environment Office and various units to strengthen actions to guard against avian influenza. All preventive and control measures will be stepped up according to the heightened alert at Serious Response Level.

Staff and students are reminded to avoid touching live poultry and birds, and their droppings. After contacting them, they should wash their hands thoroughly immediately afterwards. Please notify the Security Unit at Tel. 2609-7999 in the event of discovering dead bird on campus. Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating. Travellers returning from affected areas should consult doctors promptly if they have symptoms of influenza. They should inform the doctor of their travel history and wear a mask to prevent the spread of disease.

Chairman’s Announcement (10 June 2008)

Serious Response Level Activated

New domestic cases on avian flu in poultry were reported on 7 June 2008 in 5 samples of 3 chicken stalls in Po On Road Market in Sham Shui Po. In light of the H5N1 avian flu virus found in local market, the Government had raised the original Alert Response Level to Serious Response Level. The Food and Health Bureau had announced suspension of live chicken supply for 21 days to facilitate the tracing of the source of infected chickens. No abnormality had been found in other markets so far and the Government stays alert on the avian flu situation.

The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP) has accordingly activated the Serious Response Level in the CUHK Campus Pandemic and Avian Flu Alert and Action Plan. Please refer to the Serious Response Level Action Plan for details. All Departments and Units are required to follow the appropriate level of action plan.  Staff and students are advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle, adhere to good personal and environmental hygiene, and follow the precautionary measures below:

• Eat only thoroughly cooked poultry and eggs.
• Avoid contact with poultry and their droppings.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
• Avoid going to crowded places.
• Wear a mask when you have fever or respiratory symptoms.
• Consult doctors with your recent travel history if you have flu-like illness, especially those who have close contacts with poultry.
• Vaccinate against influenza. UHS offers flu vaccination at cost price. Please call 2609-6428 for further enquiry.

Please take a look of the Preventive Recommendations posted on our website. CHPP will monitor the development closely and will keep you informed with updated information regularly at our website.

Chairman’s Announcement (9 May 2008)

Hong Kong is on full alert to the threat of Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease because of the recent upsurge of Enterovirus 71 infection in the neighboring areas. The Department of Health is distributing related leaflets at immigration checkpoints and publicity for tourists and the communication between travel industries has been strengthened.

Locally, fourteen EV71 cases have been recorded this year, which is higher than previous years. 20% of the Hand-Foot-Mouth Diseases outbreaks in Hong Kong were caused by EV71. The Centre for Health Protection is monitoring closely the local and overseas situation and will review the advice for school suspension accordingly. The University Health Service is keeping close observation on individual cases. No associated or serious case has been reported.

EV71 is usually found in young children, presented with symptoms of the Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease such as fever, sores and blisters in the mouth. Rash also appears on the hands and soles of the feet. Rarely, EV71 may cause serious diseases, such as meningitis, encephalitis and myocarditis.

EV71 infection is transmitted from person to person by direct contact with body discharges. The incubation period is from 3 to 7 days. Currently, no specific treatment is available for EV71 infection. Symptomatic treatments can relief fever and pain from the ulcers. Vaccine is not available at the moment. Good personal and environmental hygiene are the most important preventive measures, such as:

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly.
  
• Do not share personal items and eating utensils with others.
  
• Maintain good ventilation.
  
• Disinfect furniture, toilets and toys with diluted bleach regularly.
  
• Infected children should refrain from school and group activities.

Chairman’s Announcement (13 March 2008)

Prevention of Influenza

Hong Kong is currently at the height of influenza season and it is expected to last for some time. According to the Department of Health's surveillance, private doctors and government outpatient departments detected an increasing influenza-like illness activity in the community. The Centre for Health Protection announced on 12 March (http://www.chp.gov.hk/epidemiology.asp?lang=en&id=448) of 23 more influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools (20 suspected and 3 confirmed influenza outbreaks). Hospital admission rates due to influenza among children under 5 and elderly 65-year-old or older are rising. The Education Bureau announced yesterday that all primary schools, kindergartens and special schools would be closed for two weeks from 13 March to prevent the further spread of influenza on campuses. The Centre for Health Protection is publishing a weekly bulletin on its website on update of the latest seasonal flu situation (www.chp.gov.hk).

The circulating influenza viruses showed a mixed composition. University Health Service (UHS) has launched the influenza vaccination programme from September 2007 to March 2008. Almost 3,000 doses of flu vaccine have been given to staff and students. The current flu vaccine used in Hong Kong is based on the World Health Organization's recommended composition for Northern Hemisphere 2007/08. Although it does not match exactly with the current strains, it still offers some degree of protection against influenza. The vaccine is still available in the UHS. The cost price is $70. For those who have not been immunized this year (2007-08), please go to the UHS to receive the vaccinated protection. Staff and students are reminded to be vigilant and observe good personal and environmental hygiene. Other protection against influenza includes:

• Consult doctors promptly if any symptoms of respiratory tract infection develop, and wear a mask.
  
• Proper hand washing is an effective hygiene practice to avoid contracting and spreading communicable diseases.
  
• Avoid going to crowded places and if the ventilation is poor, wear a mask to protect yourself and others.
  
• Build up body immunity by proper diet, exercise, adequate rest and avoid smoking.

At its meeting on 11 March 2008, the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection discussed the contingency plan for preparations for the outbreak of influenza. All staff and students are reminded that Hong Kong is still in the Alert Response Level of the Influenza Preparedness Plan, plus the height of influenza season. The University has stepped up the action on prevention of both influenza and the bird flu. Various concerned departments such as UHS, University Safety and Environment Office, Estates Management Office and Security Unit are stepping up the vigilance and infection control measures.

UHS is keeping track on any related respiratory diseases, stocking up masks, thermometers, protective equipment, medication, and conducting trial run of the Special Residence Quarter. Disinfectants and masks are adequately stocked by the University Safety and Environment Office. Estates Management Office is enforcing the cleaning procedures. A briefing session will be organized for all Colleges and Faculty Working Group Coordinators to provide update information on influenza and preventive measures taken by the university. Talks on “Prevention of Influenza in Several Perspectives” will be conducted for all workmen from different units, including EMO, Colleges, canteens workers and security staff.

Hostel students are requested to fill in the Health Declaration form if they have any symptoms of fever or respiratory tract infection. The form will be sent to UHS for screening. Please visit the CHPP website http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/ on updates of the influenza situation and recommendations in the university.

Chairman’s Announcement (26 February 2008)

Hong Kong Government has stepped up efforts to guard against bird flu after the death of a woman with H5N1 in Shanwei , Guangdong on 25 Feb 2008. She developed fever and cough on 16 Feb after eating meat from a dead chicken. As the location of the incidence is getting close to Hong Kong and human avian flu occurs more frequently in winter, the public hospitals would give special tests to patients with flu-like symptoms of unknown origin and who had visited Guangdong in the past six months. Other measures include enhancing temperature screening at the checkpoints; sending vets to check the farms; cleaning wet markets more thoroughly and stepping up the border checks for imported poultry.

The University Health Service would also step up the alertness for the management of the upper respiratory tract diseases. Staff and students are reminded to remain vigilant against avian influenza infection and follow the measures below:

• Eat only thoroughly cooked poultry and eggs.
• Avoid contact with poultry and their droppings.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
• Avoid going to crowded places.
• Wear a mask when you have fever or respiratory symptoms.
• Consult doctors with your recent travel history if you have flu-like illness after a trip.
• Vaccinate against influenza. UHS offers flu vaccination at cost price $70. Please call 2609-6428 for further enquiry.

Chairman’s Announcement (18 February 2008)

The cold weather in Hong Kong has been continued for three weeks and will last for a while. Two particular conditions that the CHPP and UHS would like to bring to attention to all staff and students:

Influenza
The influenza-like illness has increased sharply in the community in the last three weeks. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health has said the influenza vaccine being used for the current flu season offers some degree of protection against the virus, even when it does not match exactly with one of the circulating strains. Students and staff are encouraged to get vaccinated as it takes two weeks to take up immunity. The vaccination is available are the University Health Service at the cost price of $70.

• build up good immunity by having proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest and avoid smoking
• maintain good personal hygiene
• have good environmental hygiene with good ventilation, even in very cold weather
• avoid going to crowded places

• In the past 2 weeks, the University Health Clinic and Accident Emergency Departments of Hong Kong are seeing quite a number of patients with Frostbites – which are very rare in Hong Kong before.
• Frostbites are freezing of the skin and can cause serious damage to the fingers and toes, and ears if not properly taken care of timely.
• Those with symptoms of frostbite – i.e. itchiness, pain, swelling of the peripheral part of the lesser toes and fingers, should go quickly to warmer places to prevent tissue damage and seek medical treatment
• Take extra care of young children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases.
• Please keep warm. Wear a hat and put on gloves when going out in the cold weather. People with low body fat are more likely to get hypothermia. Cigarettes and caffeine cause narrowing of the blood vessels. When blood vessels are narrowed, there will be less blood flows and cause cold hands and feet.

Chairman’s Announcement (25 Jan 2008)

The Lunar New Year is approaching. For those who plan to travel abroad during the holiday, one should increase awareness on the prevention of avian flu and other food-borne diseases during traveling such as hepatitis A and typhoid. Mosquito-borne illnesses, such as Malaria, Dengue Fever, and Japanese Encephalitis, are common in remote areas of Southeast Asia. Vaccinations are available at University Health Service at cost price. Please contact Mrs Pauline Kan of University Health Service for details.

There were fatal human cases of avian flu in Indonesia and Vietnam this week. A 30-year-old man died on 24 Jan 2008, making Indonesia's overall toll to 98 fatalities, the hardest hit nation in the world. A 34-year-old man died on 18 Jan 2008 in Vietnam. So far, there had been 353 confirmed human cases, of whom 221 had died. Most of them are proved to have close contact with either infected birds or family members. There is a latest bird flu outbreak in a poultry farm in Thailand with 400 chickens died on 24 Jan 2008.

As precautionary measure, one should check out the traveling guidelines on what to do before going on and after returning from trips, especially to countries affected by bird flu. More travel tips can also be found at http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk/.

May I take this opportunity to wish you a prosperous and healthy Year of the Rat.