|
Mystery virus strikes HK children
By Alfons Chan (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-11-17 00:53
Medical experts in Hong Kong are puzzled by a mystery illness affecting
children.
Doctors at the Caritas Medical Centre in Kowloon say two of 30 admitted
patients have signs of respiratory tract infection while six of were suffering
from fever.
"Infection-control measures have been stepped up at the hospital, and medical
staff at laboratories in the Centre for Health Protection, local universities
and the Department of Health are conducting tests to identify the source of the
virus," said Hospital Authority Chief Executive William Ho, who visited the
patients yesterday.
Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food York Chow Yat-ngok refused to
say if the mystery illness was a new virus. He said it "could be related" to an
existing disease which is prone to attacking children and patients with weaker
immunity.
Health officials placed a "green" code warning around the hospital in the
Sham Shui Po district and isolated the ward.
The hospital also closed its paediatric wards to new admissions, while
visitors. including close family members, are required to wear protective gear
and be subjected to restrictions.
The health chief urged citizens to be vigilant about their health during the
peak flu season, adding that students with respiratory illnesses or fever should
not go to school.
Meanwhile, consultant doctor at the Centre for Health Protection Thomas Tsang
Ho-fai, revealed on a local radio programme two people who had been in touch
with infected children had symptoms of fever. However, Ho said they had
recovered quickly, indicating that the virus was "not very strong."
"Results of gene and virus tests would be available in about one or two
days," he said.
Ho also told local radio that he does not rule out the possibility of some
more cases in the coming days, but said the peak period of the infection had
passed.
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top China
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
