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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is liaising with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in tracing persons who had potential contact with the Black-headed Gull found at Chiu Lut Sau Memorial Secondary School, Yuen Long, which was tested positive in the preliminary test for H5 avian influenza virus.
So far, one of the contacts was symptomatic and she was arranged to admit to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) for further testing and isolation. The other contacts have been put under medical surveillance.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the 48-year-old woman, who worked as clerical staff in the school, had picked up the sick bird with bare hand and without face mask on December 13 and placed it in a box in the school office before it was collected by the AFCD. She developed fever, sore throat and diarrhea the next day and consulted a private doctor today (December 15).
"In view of the latest development, the patient has been sent to PMH for isolation and treatment. Tests for H5 are being conducted and results will be available tomorrow morning," a CHP spokesman said.
According to the information in hand, the patient enjoyed good past health. She did not have recent travel history.
The spokesman said, "The CHP has identified six home contacts of the patient and all of them are currently asymptomatic. Of them, the 11-year-old son of the patient developed fever and cough on December 13 and has now recovered. As a precautionary measure, he has been arranged to PMH for isolation and laboratory testing. Contact tracing continues."
"The school has been advised to suspend class for a day tomorrow (December 16) for thorough cleansing and disinfection. The CHP will assess the need for further class suspension subject to development."
Ends/Thursday, December 15, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:52
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