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In a quick follow up to an earlier report this morning (see CHP Announces 4th H7N9 Case In Hong Kong), Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority has released the following statement providing a few more details on the presentation and course of treatment of their latest H7N9 case.
Tuen Mun Hospital response to media enquiries on confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9)
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In response to media enquiries on a confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9), the Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) spokesman gave the following reply today (January 29):A 75-year-old patient with heart disease and other chronic illnesses was sent by ambulance to the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of TMH at about 9pm yesterday (January 28) for chest pain, shortness of breath and cough. The patient claimed that he had stayed in Shenzhen between January 20 and 26 and had no history of contact with live poultry.
Preliminary examination by AED medical staff found that the patient showed signs of heart failure, fever and pneumonia. The patient was then transferred to a medical ward for follow-up treatment. Physicians subsequently admitted the patient to an isolation ward as further examination indicated that the patient had severe pneumonia apart from the cardiac condition. The hospital also arranged an influenza test for the patient.
The patient's vital signs were stable in the isolation ward. He was prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics. His condition deteriorated at about 6am this morning and he finally succumbed around 8am. The hospital has referred the case to the Coroner for follow up. Preliminary laboratory results available this afternoon were positive to H7. The results were later confirmed by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health.
The hospital has introduced enhanced cleaning of the related wards and will work closely with the Centre for Health Protection in contact tracing.
Ends/Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:42
In a related story, Hong Kong’s SFH (Secretary For Food & Health) Dr. Ko Wing-man made this statement regarding this most recent H7N9 case.
Reporter: (On measures the Government will take after confirmation of the fourth human case of avian influenza A (H7N9).)
Secretary for Food and Health: This is the fourth case of Hong Kong citizens contracting H7N9 virus after visiting the Mainland, mainly Shenzhen because of the geographical proximity. There is no way that we can stop the human traffic between the Mainland and Hong Kong. There are bound to be many HK citizens paying a visit to the Mainland, so the most important thing is to take precautions. If you are just a visitor to the Mainland, please avoid getting into contact with live poultry or wild birds and avoid visiting or getting close to wet markets with live poultry. If you are living or staying in the affected area for a longer time, and there is no way that you can avoid going to a wet market, then one should adopt more stringent personal protection, such as carrying a mask, and very importantly, washing hands before touching eyes, nose or mouth.
