***********************************************************
The Department of Health (DH) today (February 13) called on people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene during the Chinese New Year period to protect themselves against infectious diseases no matter if they are staying in Hong Kong or travelling overseas.
CHP's Consultant (Community Medicine), Dr Thomas Tsang, said that in Hong Kong, people should be particularly vigilant against influenza as recent findings from influenza surveillance systems showed that Hong Kong was entering an influenza season.
"The number of laboratory isolates of influenza virus has increased steadily since early January. Furthermore, influenza outbreaks in four institutions were confirmed during the past two weeks, following a three-month period of no confirmed outbreaks," Dr Tsang said.
"Influenza occurs in Hong Kong throughout the year, with usual seasonal peaks in February and March. In view of the approaching flu season, eligible people to receive free influenza vaccination under the Government Influenza Vaccination Programme (GIVP) should come forward to receive the vaccine as soon as possible if they have not done so. The GIVP will be further extended until the end of April depending on availability of vaccine stock.
"So far, about 260,000 target clients have received influenza vaccinations under the Programme which started on November 6 last year."
High risk groups are advised to get influenza vaccinations early to acquire adequate protection against influenza-related complications in case of infection. These groups include:
* Elderly people living in residential care homes;
* Long-stay residents of institutions for the disabled;
* Elderly people aged 65 years or above;
* People with chronic illnesses;
* Healthcare workers;
* Children aged six to 23 months; and
* Pregnant women.
People are reminded to guard against influenza and respiratory tract infections by adopting the following measures:
* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* Wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
* Maintain good ventilation;
* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation; and
* Wear face masks and consult their doctors for medical advice promptly if they develop influenza-like symptoms.
Turning to health advice for travelers during the Chinese New Year, the department's Chief Port Health Officer, Dr Henry Kong, said people planning to go overseas during the festive period were advised to be extra cautious against infectious diseases, such as avian influenza, dengue fever and food-borne diseases.
"In view of the recent outbreaks of avian influenza in Asia and other places of the world, travellers should always maintain good hygiene, and avoid going to zoos or farms with poultry and birds and avoid touching those animals and their droppings.
"They should wash hands immediately with soap after having any contact with poultry and birds. They should also make sure that poultry and eggs are thoroughly cooked before eating them," he said.
"Those returning from affected areas with symptoms of avian influenza should wear a mask and consult doctors promptly. They should let the doctors know their travel history," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Kong reminded travellers to be on guard against dengue fever, which was endemic in Southest Asia, by taking preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites.
In Hong Kong, there were 31 imported cases of dengue fever reported in 2006 and all of them were infected in Asian countries.
He urged travellers to take the following preventive measures:
* Wear long-sleeved tops and trousers;
* Use insect repellent containing DEET over the exposed parts of the body; and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when rooms are not air-conditioned.
"In addition, people should always be on guard against food poisoning caused by bacteria or viruses or other food-borne diseases, such as cholera," Dr Kong said.
He called on people to adopt the following measures:
* Clean and cook food thoroughly before consumption, particularly crustacean and bivalve seafood such as shrimps, crabs, oysters and clams;
* Handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross contamination;
* Keep raw and cooked food separately;
* Store food in refrigerator (at 4 degrees Celsius or below) and adequately reheat leftover food before consumption; and keep the environment clean;
* Do not patronise unlicensed food hawkers; and
* Wash hands with soap before eating and after coughing, sneezing and going to toilets.
For the latest information on infectious diseases situation in other places and the relevant preventive measures, people may visit the department's Hong Kong Travel Health Service Website http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk or CHP's website http://www.chp.gov.hk/.
Ends/Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:40
NNNN