Hong Kong

The first confirmed case of an H5N1 infection that led to the death of a person (a 3 year old boy) was recorded in Hong Kong in May of 1997. A total of 18 people were infected in this outbreak, which lasted until December 28, 1997. 6 people died.

A family of 5 from Hong Kong visited Fujian province in Mainland China early in 2003. A mother went with two daughters and one son on January 25 2003. The 7 year old girl developed respiratory symptoms and a high fever on January 27/28. She developed pneumonia on January 28 2003. The father joined his family in Fujian province on January 31. His 7 year old daughter died on February 4, 2003. She was not tested for H5N1 and was buried in Mainland China. Her 33 year old father became ill on February 7 with fever, cough and blood in sputum. The family returned to Hong Kong on February 9 2003. The father was admitted to a hospital in Hong Kong on February 11. He died on February 17. He was tested and was found to have been infected with H5N1. The 8 year old boy in the family became ill with a cough and fever on February 9, 2003. He was tested and was also found to be positive for H5N1, but recovered. Peiris et al 2004

• Hong Kong Hospital Authority
• HK Government Information Centre - Avian Flu
• HK Government’s Pandemic Preparedness Plan
  February 2005. → pdf (english)
• HK Centre for Health Protection (CHP)
  • CHP Influenza page
  • Avian influenza reports from the CHP
    Avian Influenza Report is a weekly report produced by Respiratory Disease Office of Centre for Health Protection during the alert level of Government’s Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic in Hong Kong . This report aims to highlight any important international development of avian influenza preparedness and control and to monitor global avian influenza activity in human and birds.
  • Measures to prevent bird flu
    CHP press release, 22 Sep 2005
  • Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion
    CHP press realease, 12 Sep 2005
  • Preparedness Plan Pamphlet
    April 2005 → pdf (english)
  • Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Kit
    An FAQ, includes an 8-step guide to personal protection. June 2005
  • Influenza Preparedness Kit for Health Care Workers
    → pdf (english. 2,1 MB)
  • ‘8 Steps to Protect Yourself’
    (english)
  • The Flu Express
    Flu Express is a weekly report for the influenza season 2004/05 produced by Respiratory Disease Office/Centre for Health Protection. It summarizes and monitors local and global influenza surveillance activities over the flu season. It will be issued from January to May.
  • CHP TV announcement (video) (requires real player)
  • Guidelines for good handwashing (pdf)
  • Guide to handwashing — the video (mpeg)
  • Wearing a mask (demonstration video) (mpeg)
  • Safety guideline for the protection of personnel in handling and disposal of dead birds (pdf)

• HK Government’s Pandemic Preparedness Plan
  February 2005. → pdf (english)
• Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Kit
  An FAQ, includes an → 8-step guide to personal protection. June 2005
• Influenza Preparedness Kit for Health Care Workers
  → pdf 2,1 MB. english/ 7 July 2005
• Preparedness Plan Pamphlet
  April 2005 → pdf (english)

• Kowloon
  Dr. Wilina Lim
  Government Virus Unit
  382 Nam Cheong Street
  Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon
  Hong Kong - SAR China
  Tel: +852 (2319) 8252
  Fax: +852 (2319) 5989
  Email: wllim@pacific.net.hk

• Reemerging H5N1 Influenza Viruses in Hong Kong in 2002 are Highly Pathogenic to Ducks
  Sturm-Ramirez, et al. Journal of Virology. 2004, 78: 4892–4901 full text · pdf
• Re-emergence of fatal human influenza A subtype H5N1 disease
  Peiris et al., 2004, The Lancet
• The Next Influenza Pandemic: Lessons from Hong Kong, 1997
  Emerging Infectious Diseases vol 5 nº 2 March-April 1999
• Human influenza A H5N1 virus related to a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
  Claas et al., 1998, The Lancet
• Clinical features and rapid viral diagnosis of human disease associated with avian influenza A H5N1 virus
  Yuen et al., 1998, The Lancet
• OIE Emergency report, January 24, 2004
  1 peregrine falcon dead of H5N1 bird flu

• HK hunter hot on the trail of deadly bird flu virus
  Reuters September 14, 2005.
• Latest Hong Kong ‘bird flu’ victim critical
  CNN January 3, 1998.

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