Coronavirus – Credit CDC PHIL
# 7026
While the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health and media appear intent on downplaying reports of the novel coronavirus (see Crofsblog’s Saudi Arabia takes note of its new NCoV case), Hong Kong’s CHP (Centre For Health Protection) continues to talk openly (and often) about their surveillance efforts.
A policy likely borne out of the fact that Hong Kong suffered mightily during the 2003 SARS outbreak (see SARS And Remembrance), due in large part to determined efforts by Chinese officials in interior China to hide the epidemic from the rest of the world.
Overnight the CHP released no less than 3 press statements regarding the novel coronavirus. Links and excerpts follow:
Fever patient tested negative for novel coronavirus
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) received a report from Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) today (March 24) of a suspected case of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus.
The four-year-old girl, with good past health, presented with fever and headache since March 22 and is currently being isolated in QMH. Her condition is stable.
Investigations by the CHP revealed that the patient is a tourist from Qatar. She travelled with her parents from Qatar to Hong Kong on March 22. Her parents are asymptomatic.
Her chest X-ray was clear. Preliminary laboratory test result today for the patient's respiratory specimens showed negative for Novel Coronavirus associated with Severe Respiratory Disease by QMH but positive for adenovirus.
"The CHP will continue its surveillance mechanism with public and private hospitals, practising doctors and the airport for any suspected cases of severe respiratory disease associated with novel coronavirus," a DH spokesman remarked.
"No human infection with this virus has been identified so far in Hong Kong," the spokesman stressed.
"We would like to reassure the public that the Government will be as transparent as possible in the dissemination of information on cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus. Whenever there is a suspected case, particularly involving patients with travel history to the Middle East and the affected areas, the CHP will release information to the public as soon as possible," the spokesman reiterated.
Travellers returning from novel coronavirus-affected countries with respiratory symptoms are advised to wear face masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors.
The spokesman reminded members of the public to take heed of personal hygiene:
* Wash hands before touching the eyes, nose and mouth;
* Wash hands before eating or handling food;
* Wash hands after using a toilet;
* Wash hands after sneezing or coughing and cleaning the nose; and
* Avoid direct contact with animals, birds or poultry.Ends/Sunday, March 24, 2013
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Food and Health (SFH), Dr Ko Wing-man, responded to a reporter’s question on the novel coronavirus (NCoV) while attending a public ceremony recognizing World Tuberculosis Day.
SFH on additional overseas case of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus
Reporter: (On the latest case of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus reported to the World Health Organization by the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Secretary for Food and Health: The World Health Organization (WHO) has just informed our Centre for Health Protection that there is now a 16th case of new Novel Coronavirus causing severe respiratory disease. This patient is a contact of the 15th case (announced by the WHO on March 12). We are trying to contact the WHO and other regional authorities to get more information on this case. On the other hand, in Hong Kong, there are from time to time patients returning from the affected areas who have symptoms fulfilling the clinical criteria of the new Novel Coronavirus infection. This morning, there is a four-year-old girl, who is a tourist from Qatar, has presented clinical symptoms fulfilling the criteria of new Novel Coronavirus infection. We have conducted rapid tests on this girl. Up to this moment, her specimens had been tested positive for Adenovirus but we cannot rule out the possibility of other coincidental infections, including the new Novel Coronavirus. We are waiting for the results of the rapid tests on Coronavirus which will be available in a few hours' time. I have to renew our appeal to all Hong Kong people to remain vigilant and adopt good personal hygiene practices and healthy lifestyle.
Reporter: (On the condition of the 4-year old girl in local hospital)
Secretary for Food and Health: This girl was treated firstly in a private hospital and was subsequently referred to the public hospital.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)Ends/Sunday, March 24, 2013
And lastly, a general statement regarding ongoing surveillance in Hong Kong for NCoV in the wake of yesterday’s announced 16th case in Saudi Arabia (see Saudi Arabia: `Mild’ NCoV Case With Contact Hx With Case #15 – WHO).
The Department of Health (DH) is today (March 24) closely monitoring an additional case of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The latest case is a contact of the 15th case announced by WHO on March 12.
According to WHO's initial information, the patient suffered a mild illness, and has recovered and been discharged from hospital. Currently, there is insufficient information available to allow a conclusive assessment of the mode and source of transmission.
This latest case brings the global total number of confirmed cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus to 16 (including nine deaths), of which nine are from the KSA (including six deaths).
"In view of the latest development, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH will seek more information on this case from the WHO and relevant health authorities. The CHP will stay vigilant and continue to work closely with the WHO and other overseas health authorities to monitor the latest development of this novel infectious disease," a DH spokesman said.
Locally, the CHP will continue its surveillance mechanism with public and private hospitals, practising doctors and the airport for any suspected cases of severe respiratory disease associated with novel coronavirus.
"No human infection with this virus has so far been identified in Hong Kong," the spokesman stressed.
"We would like to reassure the public that the Government will be as transparent as possible in the dissemination of information on cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus. Whenever there is a suspected case, particularly involving patients with travel history to the Middle East and the affected areas, the CHP will release information to the public as soon as possible," the spokesman added.
Travellers returning from novel coronavirus-affected countries with respiratory symptoms are advised to wear face masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors.
