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Ten years ago Hong Kong bore the brunt of the SARS epidemic when between March 11th and June 6th of 2003 a total of 1750 cases were identified, and of those, 286 died. Since then - Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (which was created in the wake of that epidemic) - has a well earned reputation for taking an open and proactive stance against all communicable disease threats.
So, with an emerging coronavirus in the Middle East, and a new avian influenza virus (H7N9) percolating in Mainland China, Hong Kong’s CHP is actively working on their defenses, in the event either virus begins to spread efficiently.
Earlier this summer, in Hong Kong’s Response To Guangdong H7N9 Case, we looked at some of the extensive public health messaging regarding the H7N9 virus threat, posted in shop windows, on billboards, and on the sides of buses across the city.
In 1997 Hong Kong famously destroyed all of their poultry when 18 people contracted a newly emerging avian flu virus called H5N1. It was a bold response which very well may have averted a pandemic at that time. Nearly two weeks ago, in Hong Kong: Avian Influenza Drill, we looked at one of their recent H7N9 drills, which simulated an emergency cull of infected poultry.
Photo Credit Hong Kong Government
With the report of a new H7N9 case this past week in Zhejiang province, and concerns that with colder weather more human infections are likely to emerge (see Chinese CDC: Be Alert For H7N9), Hong Kong authorities are stepping up their measures against both MERS and H7N9.
First, some remarks by Hong Kong’s SFH (Secretary of Food & Health), Dr. Ko Wing-man, who outlines some of the measures Hong Kong will take to detect the H7N9 virus. The SFH also indicates the most recent virus isolate remains genetically similar to those collected last spring. This translation from Chinanews.com (bolding mine):
Ko Wing Man: Hong Kong will strengthen measures to prevent and control H7N9 avian influenza
At 16:37 on October 20, 2013 Source: China News Network
BEIJING, Oct. 20, according to the Hong Kong SAR Government website news, Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health Ko Wing Man 19 pointed out that with the onset of winter, the material will continue to appear human infection of H7N9 avian influenza sporadic cases. Hong Kong will strengthen the prevention and control work, including increasing market or chicken rearing farms security measures to enhance the temperature check at the gate and raise awareness of frontline health care workers and hospital protective measures.
Ko Wing Man on the 19th to the media after attending public events, said a few days ago, Zhejiang Mainland confirmed a new case of avian influenza H7N9, according to the data, temporarily virus and not show a few months ago has changed, still belongs to the main bird viruses, yet found The display height from person to person.
He said that Hong Kong has received news of new cases diagnosed soon after with the Mainland Ministry of Health and other departments; CHP also with the Guangdong Provincial Health Department and the relevant disease control units meeting noted that Guangdong Province in response to the H7N9 avian flu will to take more stringent measures.
He was referring to Hong Kong, there is no slack in the prevention and control measures have been carried out for a quick test for Hong Kong poultry. To date, for Hong Kong poultry, wild birds and domestic poultry in Hong Kong market, temporarily not detect H7N9 avian influenza virus.
Dear Doctor,
A Confirmed Case of Human Infection with Avian Influenza A(H7N9) virus in Zhejiang Province We would like to inform you that a confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) was reported by the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) on 15 October, 2013.
The case involves a 35-year-old man who is receiving treatment in hospital. His current condition is serious. The sample of the patient tested positive for the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province and the case was subsequently confirmed by the Health Bureau of Zhejiang Province.
As of 15 October, there is a total of 135 confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in the Mainland China, including 45 deaths. One imported case from Jiangsu Province was also reported by the Centers for Disease Control of Taiwan, making a total of 136 cases. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has been maintaining close liaison with the World Health Organization and health authorities in the Mainland China to obtain information and monitor the latest development of the disease.
In response to the newly confirmed case in Zhejiang Province, we would like to urge you to pay special attention to those who presented with influenza-like-illness and had history of visiting wet market with live poultry or contact with poultry in the affected areas within the incubation period (i.e. 10 days before onset of symptoms). Please kindly be reminded that the list of affected areas is regularly updated and is available at the CHP website:
http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/global_statistics_avian_influenza_e.pdf.
Any suspected case meeting the reporting criteria (https://ceno.chp.gov.hk/casedef/casedef.pdf) should be immediately reported to the Central Notification Office of CHP via fax (2477 2770), phone (2477 2772) or CENO On-line (www.chp.gov.hk/ceno). Please also contact the Medical Control Officer (MCO) of DH at Pager: 7116 3300 call 9179 when reporting any suspected case. DH will make arrangement to send the patient to regional public hospitals for isolation, testing and treatment. Please kindly isolate patient to minimize contact/exposure to staff and other patients and advise the patient to wear a surgical mask while waiting for transport.
For updates on the latest situation of avian influenza, please visit CHP website at http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/24244.html. Thank you for your ongoing support in combating communicable diseases.Yours faithfully,
(Dr. Yonnie LAM)
for Controller, Centre for Health Protection
Department of Health
While all of this may seem disconcerting to those unfamiliar with Hong Kong’s normal response to novel disease threats, this is actually par for the course. Public health officials there are not taking these steps because they are convinced that H7N9 poses an imminent pandemic threat, only because they know it could.
With over 7 million residents packed into just 426 sq. miles, sitting as it does adjacent to mainland China - and also serving as a major hub for international business and air travel - Hong Kong is particularly vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks.
Fortunately, their proactive public health stance helps to provide the rest of the world with a highly sensitive trip-wire to warn against the spread of any emerging infectious disease, but particularly those coming out of China.
