Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HA) has assigned 14 of its general outpatient clinics as the "Designated Clinics" to treat patients with influenza-like-illness who have history of epidemiological link with avian influenza.

HA spokesman said Monday that the step is taken to further enhance the surveillance and management of patients with influenza as a prevention of outbreak.

He said it is necessary to enhance the surveillance and reporting mechanism as Hong Kong has entered into the annual flu peak season and also in view of the recent outbreak of avian influenza in the neighboring areas.

The spokesman said the 14 Designated Clinics are distributed at Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Any members of the public who have symptoms of high fever, cough, sore throat, and myalgia, coupled with history of recent visit to poultry farms in an area known to have avian influenza outbreak, or having contact with a human case of influenza A (H5), or processing samples from persons or animals that are suspected from H5N1, could attend the Designated Clinics for appropriate diagnosis and treatment, and would be admitted to hospital for further treatment if required.

He pointed out that any influenza A (H5) cases monitored by the clinics will be reported to the HA and Department of Health for necessary follow up according to established procedures.

The spokesman said patients with serious condition and diagnosed as high risk would be transferred to hospital for admission, while those with mild symptoms would be treated and discharged with the required medications.

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2004)