******************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a patient with clinical features suggestive of Japanese encephalitis (JE) involving a 49-year-old woman living in Yuen Long.
The woman was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on May 25. She was found to have developed repeated vomiting, fever and generalised convulsions. Her present condition is critical.
Preliminary test of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid is negative for JE. Another confirmatory laboratory test, serology for JE antibody, is being performed and more definitive results are expected in one to two weeks.
As a precautionary measure, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) have carried out vector surveys and mosquito control measures in the vicinity of the woman's residence in Tai Kei Leng.
According to AFCD, there are nine pig farms within two kilometres of the woman's residence.
Initial investigations revealed that the woman had no recent travel history outside Hong Kong. Her home contacts are asymptomatic and have been put under CHP's medical surveillance. Their residence has also been inspected.
In the past five years, there have been 11 sporadic JE cases reported in Hong Kong, comprising one imported case in 2001, two imported cases in 2002, one local case in 2003, five local cases in 2004 and two (one local and one imported) cases in 2005.
A CHP spokesman said JE was transmitted by Culicine mosquitoes living mainly in rural areas. The mosquitoes breed in water-logged fields and marshes. People are reminded to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding by removing stagnant water.
People are advised to take the following precautionary measures both in Hong Kong and when visiting areas with mosquito-transmitted diseases:
* Wear long sleeved clothes and trousers;
* Use insect repellent over exposed parts of the body when outdoors; and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.
Travellers who fall sick after returning from endemic areas should consult doctors promptly and give details of their travel history.
Details of the preventive measures against JE are available from CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) and DH's website (http://info.gov.hk/trhealth).
Ends/Monday, May 29, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:40
NNNN