Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ4: Prevention of avian influenza
Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Cheng and a reply by the Secretary for
Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today
(November 2):
Question :
A few dozen confirmed or suspected cases of human infection of avian influenza
have been detected throughout the Southeast Asian region since the end of last
year. The World Health Organization has predicted that the pandemic will spread
rapidly in the near future, leading to a possible death toll of tens of
millions. Regarding the prevention of a local outbreak of human infection of
avian influenza, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether the authorities have adopted special immigration control measures to
prevent the import of avian influenza through imported labourers from infected
areas, and the details of the infectious disease notification mechanisms
established between the Hong Kong authorities and the governments of the
neighbouring regions (especially the infected areas);
(b) whether the anti-influenza drug "Tamiflu" in oral dosage form currently
stockpiled by the authorities can effectively treat patients infected with avian
influenza and relieve their symptoms, and of the efficacy and experience of
using the drug in the infected areas; and
(c) whether free influenza vaccination will be given to all elderly people; if
so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply :
Madam President,
H5N1 is primarily an infectious disease among poultry and birds. Although there
have been sporadic cases of human infection in Southeast Asia and other places
since early 2004, there is as yet no evidence showing that the virus is capable
of efficient human-to-human transmission. No pandemic has occurred.
(a) Health advice is provided to all travellers departing for or arriving at
Hong Kong from countries which are affected by avian influenza including
Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, etc by flight.
Agreement has been reached with airlines operating in-bound flights from the
mentioned countries and others affected by avian influenza to make in-flight
health advice announcement to passengers. The announcement provides health
information relating to avian flu and advises passengers who feel sick to seek
medical consultation. Passengers arriving Hong Kong through the Hong Kong
International Airport are also required to undergo temperature check. Those who
are found to have a temperature are referred to the medical posts for more
detailed check-up, and if necessary, admitted to hospital for necessary
treatment.
As for passengers taking outbound flight to these countries, they are provided
with health education leaflets on board the flight or at the airline counters in
the Hong Kong International Airport. These leaflets provide passengers with
useful health advice on protection against avian influenza.
A leaflet entitled "What you should know about Avian Influenza" in six ethnic
languages including Indonesian and Thai is produced. The leaflet is distributed
to target groups through District Offices, Consulate-General Offices, the Hong
Kong Federation of Employers and relevant NGOs. In September 2005, DH organized
an outreach programme in Victoria Park to distribute the avian influenza leaflet
to Indonesian workers. DH is at the moment updating the leaflet, and plans to
translate it into more ethnic languages and distribute it to target groups
before end of this year. DH has also recently contributed feature articles about
prevention of avian influenza to local ethnic newspapers in Indonesian,
Philippine and Nepalese.
With regard to infectious disease outbreaks in regional countries including
Indonesia and Thailand, DH maintains close liaison with the World Health
Organisation (WHO), Consular Generals as well as the concerned health
authorities. Outbreak information from both official and unofficial sources is
compiled and analysed on a daily basis to help DH keep track of the latest
outbreak situation in the region. DH has also established a network of contacts
with health authorities in regional countries, and actively seeks latest
information and clarifications through these contacts if there is an outbreak
with considerable public health implications to Hong Kong.
(b) Tamiflu is an approved drug for the prophylaxis and treatment of ordinary
human influenza. It also shows antiviral activity against the avian influenza
H5N1 virus in laboratory experiments. Hence, the WHO recommends health
authorities to stockpile tamiflu as one of the preparedness measures against
pandemic influenza and this advice is taken by many developed economies.
The stockpiling of tamiflu as an antiviral drug during influenza pandemic is
also recommended by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases
under DH's Centre for Health Protection. Some world-renowned experts in avian
influenza are members of the Committee.
A recent article from WHO reveals that there is empirical evidence showing that
tamiflu is useful against H5N1. Current clinical evidence reveals that tamiflu
resistance in avian influenza H5N1 is minimal. We would however continue to
monitor closely the occurrence of drug-resistance.
(c) As far as elderly people are concerned, the Government Influenza Vaccination
Programme covers those who the needy and high-risk groups i.e. those living in
residential care homes, those who are chronically-ill, etc. The Programme this
year is extended to also cover elderly people aged 65 or above who are on
Comprehensive Social Security Assistance. The Administration does not consider
it appropriate to broaden eligibility for the Programme to include all elderly
people of that age group, who can seek vaccination in the private sector.
Ends/Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:00
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Prevention of Avian Influenza