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Hong Kong detected first suspected flu case

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-01 20:57

HONG KONG -- Health authorities have confirmed the first case of influenza A/H1N1 in Hong Kong, Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced Friday.

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The first case involved a Mexican who arrived in Hong Kong by air via Shanghai on Thursday. The patient checked into the Metropark Hotel in Wanchai, Hong Kong, and later went to see the doctor after developing flu symptoms, including fever.

The case was confirmed to an infection of influenza A/H1N1 on Friday.

The alert level was immediately raised from "serious" to "emergency", the highest level in Hong Kong, Tsang announced after an emergency meeting.

HK's flu preventive measures appropriate

Hong Kong Chief Secretary Henry Tang said Friday the government is well prepared for the battle against Influenza A (H1N1), previously known as "swine flu", with appropriate preventive measures implemented at border control points.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting preventive measures at the Lo Wu control point and the airport on Friday, Tang said the government has adopted a serious approach in the fight against the new virus.

Noting surveillance at boundary control points is the most important line of defense, Tang said all travelers must go through temperature checks at border check points and will be given health advice. Help stations have been set up at all land border check points to provide medical assistance.

Tang said measures implemented by the government so far are appropriate. All in-bound passengers at the airport are required to complete health declaration forms and such arrangements may also be made at sea and land ports when necessary.

Although the fight against the new virus will be a hard battle, Tang said, the city will gain a victory if all Hong Kong people work together to keep the city clean and pay special attention to personal and family hygiene.