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Background:
A new strain of influenza virus is circulating in many countries. The current knowledge on this new virus is limited. The potential that this virus can cause severe illness should not be neglected. Departments and units planning for activities that involve students and staff traveling outside Hong Kong are advised to assess the potential risks and benefits of such activities, and decide whether it is worthwhile to allow the activities to go ahead. The following principles serve as a general guide for risk assessment. Additional considerations may be necessary depending on the specific nature of activity.
Principles:
| (1) |
Location: An updated list of areas with confirmed cases of human swine influenza is available at the “Human Swine Influenza” website of the Centre for Health Protection http://www.chp.gov.hk/view_content.asp?lang=en&info_id=16615, and World Health Organization http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/updates/en/index.html
Areas with transmission in the general community are considered to be of “high risk”. These areas are often indicated by their continuous increase in number of cases.
Areas with “imported infection” only are considered as “moderate risk”. The official websites may not specify this category. Information from media are often more useful.
Areas without confirmed infection can be regarded as “low risk”. However, the possibility of under reporting should be considered.
Influenza is a fast spreading infection. The risk status of an area may change rapidly. In general, areas with frequent air travel and high density of population are at a higher risk.
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| (2) |
Access to medical care:
Points to consider include the availability of medical insurance, cost of medical care, local Government’s policy for cases and their contacts. The new virus is susceptible to antiviral agent. Therefore the availability of antiviral agents for treatment in the area should be considered.
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| (3) |
Duration of stay:
The risk status for a given area may change in the coming weeks. The longer the duration of stay, the higher the risk would be.
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| (4) |
Condition of living:
Where is the accommodation?
Type of accommodation - e.g. staying in student hostel that requires sharing of facilities is considered as higher risk.
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| (5) |
Nature of activity: examples of activities with higher risk are:
Mixing with participants from affected areas;
Traveling for long hours in coach;
Exhibition, conference or lecture in overcrowding conditions, etc.
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| (6) |
Receiving Partner or Co-organiser:
Level of preparedness
Available support
Information on local regulations and any special advice |
May 2009
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