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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Hong Kong steps up health controls after first H7N9 case confirmed

Via South China Morning Post :

" Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on Tuesday Hong Kong would step up health checks at border checkpoints to screen visitors with fever symptoms in the wake of the city's first confirmed human case of the deadly H7N9 bird flu virus.

Agricultural officers would also inspect local poultry farms and chicken stalls on Tuesday, the chief executive said.

An Indonesian maid fell sick after travelling to Shenzhen last month where she had cooked a live chicken. She was subsequently tested positive for the deadly new strain on return to Hong Kong – the first case here. She was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital and was in a critical condition on Tuesday morning.

The live-in maid works for a family of four – a couple with two children. All four were said to have minor flu symptoms and were under observation in quarantine at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Speaking before an Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, Leung said the government took the case seriously.

“The Centre for Health Protection is trying to trace the source of the virus and how it spread. It is also working with the Hospital Authority to monitor those who have had close contact with the patient,” he said.

On the coming public consultation on political reforms, Leung revealed that the consultation document, expected as early as Wednesday, would likely “list out all the requirements under the Basic Law and the [2007 rulings] of the National People’s Congress.”

He said his administration would keep an open mind but these requirements must be considered when Hong Kong pursued its political reform."

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