Press release from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) :
" The Chairperson of the Steering Committee on Avian Influenza and the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, this morning (November 18) convened an inter-departmental meeting on avian influenza following the confirmation of a case of Influenza A (H5N1) infection by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) yesterday (November 17). The meeting reviewed the latest situation and preventive measures being taken by various parties against avian flu.
The inter-departmental meeting was attended by representatives from the Department of Health (DH), the Hospital Authority (HA), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Education Bureau, the Social Welfare Department, the Home Affairs Department, the Tourism Commission and the Information Services Department.
Dr York Chow said the Serious Response Level under the Government's Preparedness Plan for influenza pandemic had been activated. To prevent the spread of the virus, the inter-departmental group had decided to take a series of actions according to the contingency plan for the Serious Response Level.
Accordingly, the CHP under DH has stepped up surveillance by testing all severe pneumonia cases for H5. A telephone hotline 2125 1111 has been set up to answer public enquiries. The CHP has written to all medical practitioners alerting them of the development and has liaised closely with HA to step up surveillance. The department has also sent letters to institutions, elderly homes and schools to remind them to be vigilant against avian influenza."
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