First serious swine flu case detected

July 8, 2009

Surveillance

The Centre for Health Protection has confirmed the city's first serious swine flu case, involving a 76-year-old man. Centre controller Dr Thomas Tsang said today the pulmonary emphysema patient developed flu symptoms on July 5 and was admitted to the hospital the same day. His condition improved over the following two days but deteriorated this morning. He is now being treated with Tamiflu and antibiotics. The centre will analyse the virus sample collected from him to see if there has been a genetic mutation. Results are expected in two weeks. Hong Kong's swine flu tally has grown to 1,055. Although there have been no swine flu outbreaks in local elderly centres, the Government has stepped up infection control measures in them. The Social Welfare Department has also allocated more resources to enhance cleanliness in the centres. Noting Hong Kong has reached the summer flu peak, Dr Tsang said 55% of recent cases were swine flu. Expecting a further surge in H1N1 cases, he said it is possible to have a few serious or fatal cases in Hong Kong.