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CHP investigates measles infection case

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 2) announced a case of measles infection, involving a one-year-old boy with good past health. The CHP discovered this case during its medical surveillance for home contacts of a previously confirmed measles case announced earlier.

     The boy developed a fever and rash since November 29. He was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department at Queen Mary Hospital on the same day for medical advice and was admitted for treatment immediately. He was discharged on November 30, and was admitted again today at Gleneagles Hong Kong Hospital for treatment.

     A laboratory test of his respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. He is in a stable condition and has not yet received measles vaccination. He had no travel history during the incubation and communicable periods.

     The patient lives with a previously confirmed case (a 38-year-old woman) announced on November 26. His other home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance.

     Upon notification of the case, the CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. Investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the DH said, “Those who might have had contact with the patient during the period of communicability are urged to observe if they have developed measles-related symptoms, and to seek medical treatment immediately if such symptoms appear. If they need to visit any health care facilities during the period of medical surveillance, they should also report whether they have symptoms and prior measles exposure history to the healthcare workers so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at the healthcare facilities concerned to prevent any potential spread.”

     The spokesman explained that measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It can be transmitted by airborne droplets or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, and, less commonly, by articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. A patient can pass the disease to other persons from four days before to four days after the appearance of a skin rash.

     “The incubation period (the period from infection to appearance of illness) of measles ranges from seven days to 21 days. Symptoms of measles include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If symptoms arise, members of the public should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals,” the spokesman advised. 

     “Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. Members of the public who are planning to travel to places with high incidence or outbreaks of measles should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially people born outside Hong Kong who might not have received a measles vaccination during childhood. The history of measles vaccinations in Hong Kong is available in the CHP’s measles thematic page. Those who have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines, with unknown vaccination history or unknown immunity against measles, are urged to consult their doctor for advice on vaccinations at least two weeks before departure,” the spokesman said.

     Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
 

  • Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
  • Maintain good indoor ventilation;
  • Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
  • Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
  • Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
  • Clean used toys and furniture properly; and
  • Persons with measles should be kept out of school till four days from the appearance of a rash to prevent the spread of the infection to non-immune persons in school.

     For more information on measles, the public may call the 24-hour health education hotline 2833 0111 or visit the CHP’s measles thematic page. For news of measles outbreaks outside Hong Kong or the latest travel health advice, please visit the website of the DH’s Travel Health Service. read more

East Asia

Transcript of remarks by STH

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, at a media session after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Housing today (December 2):
 
Reporter: Secretary, if the airline’s licence is really suspended, would it be immediate from Saturday or will they have a few more months before they would be grounded? I am concerned about the possible impacts on passengers who have bought the tickets, and would the Government offer any help if they really can’t get the refund back or reschedule the flights?
 
Secretary for Transport and Housing: I would suggest that it would be rather speculative because what ATLA (Air Transport Licensing Authority) is trying to do is requiring the Hong Kong Airlines to provide cash injection into their account and to increase, enhance and maintain the cash level for daily operation. So as long as the Hong Kong Airlines could satisfy these requirements, then they would be able to continue to operate.
 
Reporter: How would the Government actually urge the airline to handle staff and passengers’ problems in case the suspension really happens?
 
Secretary for Transport and Housing: As part and parcel of the requirements of ATLA, the Hong Kong Airlines has to satisfy the two additional conditions imposed by ATLA, and therefore they have to arrange cash injection or capital injection into their account, and to increase and maintain their daily cash balance to ensure a healthy daily operation. That is the basic requirement they have to satisfy. Once they manage to satisfy these requirements, then they would be able to run as any other company in the airline industry.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

East Asia