The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has confirmed a 75-year-old Hong Kong man as the first imported case of bird flu this winter.
The man, who was not named, travelled alone to Changping, a town in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, on Nov. 28. On Dec. 8, the patient, who has underlying illnesses, was admitted to a mainland hospital after experiencing discomfort in his chest.
He returned to Hong Kong the next day via Lo Wu Immigration Control Point and was taken directly to the North District Hospital for a cough with sputum, shortness of breath, runny nose, and chest discomfort.
A nasopharyngeal swab taken from the 75-year-old tested positive for enterovirus/rhinovirus, but negative for influenza virus.
On Dec. 17, the patient developed a fever and was diagnosed with pneumonia. However, a nasal wash specimen taken yesterday confirmed that he had H7N9, a strain of avian flu.
The man was put in isolation and is reported to be in serious condition. According to the CHP, the man claimed that he hadn’t come in contact with poultry or visited a wet market.
None of the people whom the patient stayed with in mainland China have reported experiencing symptoms of bird flu, but have been put under medical surveillance. The CHP is now tracing any contacts he may have in Hong Kong.
Based on the information available at this time, the incident has been classified as an imported case of avian flu A(H7N9) , the 17th such case in Hong Kong. A spokesperson for the Centre said in a statement that the “activity” of avian flu viruses is expected to rise in the winter, and warned the public against touching birds, poultry, or their droppings.
Those who are travelling abroad should avoid visiting poultry markets or farms during their holidays, especially during Christmas and New Year. If you feel unwell and display flu symptoms such as a fever or cough, wear a mask and seek medical advice immediately.
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