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HK on alert after suspected swine flu case

By Joyce Woo, Peggy Chan and Teddy Ng (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-28 08:48

HONG KONG: The government stepped up preventive measures in preparation for a potential swine influenza epidemic at different levels Monday.

Authorities called on the public to remain calm, promising the administration will ensure the safety of Hong Kong citizens.

Three patients were admitted to hospitals suffering from flu symptoms but there was no confirmed case of swine influenza.

A 77-year-old woman, who was in Mexico between April 8 and 10, was admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on Sunday. Her granddaughter, who had not traveled to Mexico, was also admitted. Both tested negative for the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Another 27-year-old woman who visited San Francisco was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). Her test results were pending last night.

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The Hospital Authority (HA) mobilized contingency measures Monday, saying it has 1,000 beds ready in the event of an outbreak.

The accident and emergency department and the general outpatient clinic will heighten surveillance over suspected cases. Patients with flu symptoms who have traveled recently to Mexico or the United States will be isolated and quarantined.

The first 20 confirmed cases will be treated at the PMH, further cases will be sent to the respective clusters.

Under Secretary for Food and Health Gabriel Leung said if there is a confirmed case in Hong Kong, authorities will trace the contact history of the patient.

Patients and those they have contacted will be quarantined. Schools reporting outbreaks may be closed.

There is no quick test at the moment and the test targeting swine flu can be completed in one to two days at a minimum. Examinations will be enhanced. The five HA laboratories and the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) will conduct 600 to 1,000 tests every day.

The government will also develop a quick test in conjunction with a university within one to two weeks.

The head of microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, Yuen Kwok-yung, said it would take about two weeks to develop the quick test. He hoped the accuracy would reach 80 percent.

CHP controller Thomas Tsang said Hong Kong has stocked 20 million doses of the anti-flu drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, which can treat 1 million people. He said the stock is sufficient to handle an outbreak of swine flu.

According to Leung, all arriving travelers will have their body temperatures checked at the airport. If tests prove they are suffering from fever, they will be taken to hospitals and quarantined. They will also be asked to fill in a health declaration form.