The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health today (December 20) reported an update on the first imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Hong Kong this winter.
 
     Upon further enquiries, the male patient aged 75 revealed that he had visited a wet market in Sukeng, Changping, Dongguan, where he had bought dressed chicken.
 
     Contact tracing has so far identified 51 close contacts and the CHP is counting the number of other contacts.
 
     Close contacts include the patient's home contacts as well as relevant in-patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) of North District Hospital. Among them, an HCW with mild upper respiratory symptoms in stable condition has been admitted for observation, pending laboratory testing. The others have remained asymptomatic. They will be given antiviral prophylaxis with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for five days, advised to wear a mask and put under medical surveillance for 10 days since their last exposure to the patient.
 
     Other contacts are personnel involved upon the patient's arrival in Hong Kong and ambulance personnel in patient transfer. All have remained asymptomatic. They will be advised to wear a mask and will be put under medical surveillance for 10 days since their last exposure to the patient. For those in-patients with underlying illnesses or higher risk of complications, as a precautionary measure, they will also be given Tamiflu for five days, advised to wear a mask and put under medical surveillance for 10 days since their last exposure, even if they have been identified as other contacts.
 
     Epidemiological investigations and contact tracing are ongoing.

Ends/Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:30

NNNN