This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.
20 Feb 2003
Hong Kong has reported a confirmed case of influenza A (H5N1) in a 9-year-old boy. The H5N1 virus that was previously known to infect only birds, has been associated with infection and illness in humans in Hong Kong. The first human cases in Hong Kong were reported in 1997, with 18 cases and 6 deaths.
It has been reported by the Hong Kong health authorities that the 9 year-old boy who had traveled to Fujian Province (China) in January 03 with his parents and two sisters, became ill, and was admitted to a hospital in Hong Kong for pneumonia. Laboratory investigation was positive for H5N1 virus. He is currently in a stable condition. Some members of his family had also presented with the same illness. The boy's 8-year-old sister and father developed pneumonia and have died. The cause of pneumonia has not been determined in these cases. The boy's mother was ill but has since recovered.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with health authorities in Hong Kong and China in the investigations. The WHO has not issued any travel advisory.
The Ministry of Health is in touch with our counterparts in Hong Kong and is closely monitoring the developments there. The Department of Health in Hong Kong has stated that their influenza surveillance system did not show any unusual increase in influenza activity over the past few weeks nor detect any other H5 virus. Our influenza surveillance thus far has not detected any unusual strains in Singapore.
The Ministry advises you to build up your body's resistance to illnesses by having a proper diet with adequate exercise and rest. If you have returned from recent travel overseas, you are advised to seek medical attention early if you experience flu-like symptoms.