INFLUENZA IN HONG KONG: EXPERT GROUP APPOINTED,

UNCLAS HONG KONG 000470 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/CM, CA/OCS/ACS/EAP, AIAG, OES/IHA, MED HHS FOR OGHA - STEIGER, HICKEY CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU EAGR CASC AMED AMGT PINR MO HK SUBJECT: INFLUENZA IN HONG KONG: EXPERT GROUP APPOINTED, SCHOOLS CLOSE EARLY FOR EASTER REF: A. HONG KONG 348 ¶B. HONG KONG 370 ¶C. HONG KONG 402 ¶1. (U) Summary. Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health, Dr. York Chow, has established an expert working group within the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) to study three recent fatalities during this current peak influenza season. In a late-night March 12 press conference, Secretary Chow announced that all primary, kindergarten and nursery schools would be closed for two weeks, beginning March 13. Both measures respond to growing public anxiety resulting from recent influenza outbreaks concerning young children, Chow said. There is no indication that the virus has become more virulent than in previous years; influenza virus detection cases remain lower than in 2007 and 2006. The Hong Kong Government has not yet formally notified the WHO of the current situation. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On March 11, the CHP established an expert group to investigate three fatal cases involving young children during the current peak influenza season (reftel). The most recent fatality, on March 11, was a seven-year-old boy who had been admitted to the hospital with neurological and respiratory symptoms. The expert group is chaired by University of Hong Kong Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, a top scientist and leading researcher during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2004. The panel will draw upon experts in microbiology, forensic medicine, pathology and toxicology as needed to determine potential linkage between the cases, the virulence of the virus, and additional prevention measures that can be taken by the HKG. Currently, there is no indication of a significant change in the virus that makes it more virulent than in previous years. ¶3. (U) Secretary Chow, in conjunction with the Education Bureau, announced March 12 that all primary, kindergarten and nursery schools would be closed for two weeks, beginning March 13. This action moves up and extends the previously scheduled Easter vacation period. This closure impacts approximately 560,000 students at 1,745 schools, and aims to reduce the opportunity for contagion in primary schools, allow for cleaning of school facilities and allow for the virus incubation period to pass. CHP predicts that the peak influenza season should last for several more weeks. ¶4. (U) On March 13, Secretary Chow asked the the Health Department and Hospital Authority to begin compiling data on influenza cases in children, and reiterating that the school closings were a precautionary measure. He also noted that the HKG has not yet formally notified the WHO of the situation in Hong Kong, as this is not an outbreak of influenza. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: As Secretary Chow noted in last night's press conference, public fear is a key factor driving the HKG's increased measures and response. The deaths of the three children are garnering extensive and emotional press attention; additional media sensationalism is further fueling citizen anxiety. We see more people on the street wearing masks, and the topic is constantly in conversation. The numbers of confirmed influenza cases and outbreaks continue to rise, although still lower than in 2006 and 2007. The psychological and economic impact of SARS and Avian Influenza on Hong Kong memories inspire extreme caution and vigilance on the part of the government. End comment. ¶6. (U) Post's point of contact is ESTH Officer Dawn Schrepel, who can be reached at schrepeldm@state.gov, 852-2841-2104 (office) or 852-9154-4053 (mobile). Cunningham