************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) held an infection control forum for public hospital health-care workers today (May 5) to keep them abreast of the latest epidemiology of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in view of the recent staggering surge in the reporting of confirmed cases of MERS-CoV in the Middle East countries. The frontline staff was also refreshed on the preparedness and response plans of public hospitals in handling suspected or confirmed cases with MERS-CoV. So far there is no confirmed case of MERS-CoV in Hong Kong.
The HA spokesperson reiterated that the Authority will continue to closely collaborate with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) in implementing the strategy of "Early Notification", "Early Isolation" and "Early Diagnosis". HA has activated the Serious Response Level in public hospitals since December 2013 to dovetail the Government's response level of the Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic. Frontline staff has been paying extra attention to patients with fever and respiratory symptoms requiring hospitalisation. They always remain in high vigilance to screen patients with travel history and visiting to affected areas with confirmed case.
"According to prevailing surveillance and infection control guidelines, a patient who was classified as suspected case would be arranged for isolation in Airborne Infection Isolation Room. CHP would be informed immediately and the sample of the patient concerned will also be delivered to the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch for testing of MERS-CoV. The test outcome would be available within 24 hours."
"Other enhanced infection control measures in public hospitals include all health-care workers and visitors entering the clinical areas are required to put on surgical masks, and environmental hygiene and hand hygiene are strengthened in particular at the overcrowded wards," the HA spokesperson remarked.
Ends/Monday, May 5, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:40
NNNN