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Government holds interdepartmental meeting on first imported case of Zika Virus Infection (with photo)

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The Acting Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, today (August 26) chaired a meeting on the latest development and risk assessment of the first imported case of Zika Virus Infection with the Department of Health (DH), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Hospital Authority (HA).

At the meeting, representatives of the departments reported on the follow-up work in response to the first imported case of Zika Virus Infection in Hong Kong, including the latest condition of the infected case, relevant epidemiological investigation and mosquito prevention and control measures.

"After assessing the various risk factors, the Government considers that the possibility of more sporadic imported cases cannot be ruled out. We will continue to maintain vigilance, strengthen mosquito prevention and control measures, closely monitor the latest development of Zika Virus Infection in Hong Kong and overseas and adjust the relevant prevention and control measures in a timely manner. Under the 'Preparedness and Response Plan for Zika Virus Infection', the Response Level in Hong Kong is maintained at 'Alert' level. Members of the public are urged to pay attention to personal and environmental hygiene as well as carry out anti-mosquito measures to avoid mosquito bites," Professor Chan said.

Investigations of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH into the first imported case of Zika Virus Infection in Hong Kong are ongoing. The female patient aged 38 (blood specimen) and her asymptomatic travel collaterals and home contacts (blood and urine specimens) tested negative for Zika virus upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch this afternoon. The concerned patient has been discharged.

Further epidemiological investigations revealed the patient's local movements upon arrival in Hong Kong and before admission, including her residence in LOHAS Park in Tseung Kwan O, her workplace in International Finance Centre in Central and a clinic of a private hospital in Central. She had short stays on Wo Mei Hung Min Road in Sai Kung and Lockhart Road in Wan Chai.

In addition to informing the FEHD last night (August 25), the CHP has informed the management of venues concerned of this case, advised them to enhance necessary mosquito control and environmental hygiene, and provided relevant health advice.

Since August 8, HA has strengthened its service to collaborate with the CHP in enhancing the surveillance of Zika virus. Public hospitals and clinics will collect specimens of symptomatic patients with relevant travel history for viral test of Zika virus according to established guidelines. In addition, public hospitals have stepped up mosquito prevention and control work, including regular site inspections, clearance of stagnate water and increase frequency of mosquito control.

The HA will continue to work closely with the CHP and other government departments, to monitor the latest development of Zika virus.

The FEHD today has conducted surveillance and implemented comprehensive mosquito prevention and control work in the areas within a radius of 500 metres from the residence and workplace of the patient, as well as the places where the patient had visited after returning to Hong Kong. The FEHD has also advised relevant government departments and persons-in-charge of schools and housing estates to step up anti-mosquito work in areas under their management. The FEHD will continue to strengthen and promote mosquito prevention work with relevant government departments and stakeholders so as to reduce the risk of local spread of the Zika virus.

To prevent Zika Virus Infection, in addition to general anti-mosquito measures, members of the public are advised to pay attention to the special notes below:

A. Travelling abroad

* If going to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission (affected areas), travellers, especially those with immune disorders or severe chronic illnesses, should arrange consultation with a doctor at least six weeks before the trip, and take extra preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites;

* Those arriving from affected areas should apply insect repellent for at least 21 days upon arrival. If feeling unwell, such as having a fever, seek medical advice as soon as possible, and provide travel details to the doctor;

* Travellers should consider not having sex during travel to affected areas, or else condoms should be used;

* Travellers returning from affected areas should consider abstinence for at least two months upon return, or else condoms should be used. If diagnosed with Zika Virus Infection or having compatible symptoms, they should consider abstinence for at least six months upon onset, or else condoms should be used;

B. Pregnant women and those preparing for pregnancy

* Pregnant women and those preparing for pregnancy should not travel to affected areas. Those who must travel should seek medical advice from their doctor before the trip, adopt contraception if appropriate, strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip, and consult and reveal their travel history to their doctor if symptoms develop after the trip;

* Women preparing for pregnancy are advised to continue to adopt contraception for at least two months after returning from affected areas if they have no symptoms of Zika Virus Infection, or six months if one or both members of the couple are symptomatic;

C. Special notes for prevention of sexual transmission regarding adverse pregnancy outcomes

* Pregnant women should not have sex with partners who have travelled to affected areas, or else condoms should be used;

* Travellers returning from affected areas should:
1.Abstain from sex with pregnant partners, or else use condoms throughout the pregnancy; and
2.Use condoms for at least six months if female partners may get pregnant.

The public may visit the following pages for more disease information and health advice: the Zika Page of the CHP and the DH's Travel Health Service, the Outbound Travel Alert page of the Security Bureau, anti-mosquito precautions for women, and the WHO Zika virus situation reports.

Ends/Friday, August 26, 2016
Issued at HKT 22:02
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12 Apr 2019