Follow Hong Kong Immigration and Hong Kong Life: Ko Wing-man, Secretary for Food and Health of Hong Kong, pointed out on the 19th that with the arrival of winter, sporadic cases of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza are expected to continue. Hong Kong will strengthen prevention and control efforts, including increasing safety measures at markets or poultry farms, enhancing temperature checks at border control points, and raising the vigilance of frontline medical staff and hospital protective measures.
After attending a public event on the 19th, Ko Wing-man told the press that a few days ago, the mainland confirmed a new case of H7N9 avian influenza in Zhejiang. According to the data, there is currently no indication that the virus has changed compared to a few months ago; it remains primarily an avian virus, and no evidence of high human-to-human transmission has been found so far.
He stated that after receiving news of the new confirmed case, Hong Kong immediately strengthened communication with the mainland's Ministry of Health and other departments. The Centre for Health Protection also held a meeting with the Health Department of Guangdong Province and relevant disease control units, learning that Guangdong Province will adopt stricter measures in responding to H7N9 avian influenza.
He noted that Hong Kong has not relaxed its prevention and control measures and has been conducting rapid tests on poultry supplied to Hong Kong. To date, no H7N9 avian influenza virus has been detected in poultry supplied to Hong Kong, wild birds in Hong Kong, or local poultry markets.
Regarding the earlier screening for Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Ko Wing-man said that some cases have also been found in other hospitals. Therefore, the Hospital Authority has decided to conduct screenings for inpatients at other hospitals in November, and the Hospital Authority will announce the details later.