 放大圖片
■中醫師莊睿稱流感可影響至肺及腸胃。
The months of February and March are the flu season and this time the weather happens to be colder than usual. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said on Wednesday (Feb 13) that the number of flu patients rose noticeably in the past few weeks here in Hong Kong.
The types of flu viruses detected so far include some newly mutated strains also found in other countries and regions, such as the A/H3/Brisbane and B/Yamagata, said CHP Medical Advisor Dr Cheung Shu-kwan. The flu vaccines available for local residents now may not be very effective, because they are not made specifically to prevent new strains, she added.
The medical authorities emphasized, however, that the vaccines available at the moment are 40 percent to 85 percent effective against the flu viruses currently circulating here and urged those highly susceptible to vital infections to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Dr Cheung, quoting official statistics, said an average of 51.3 out of every 1,000 cases reported by private doctors in the past three weeks had been confirmed as flu infection, while government outpatient clinics treated 4.4 cases per thousand.
For the new types of flu viruses such as A/H3/Brisbane and B/Yamagata, Dr Cheung added, have also been found in nearby countries as well as in Europe.
Recent research by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that flu vaccines widely used worldwide today are about 40 percent to 85 percent effective against A/H3/Brisbane. As for the B/Yamagata virus, Dr Cheung said it has been around for a few years now and he believes many local residents already have the antibody in their system, meaning they are to a certain degree immune to the new flu strain.
Nevertheless, the CHP strongly advises those highly susceptible to viral infections to take the flu shot before it is too late and reminds the public of doing a better job with their personal hygiene, including measures such as keeping their living and working spaces well ventilated. The relevant authorities will also keep a close watch on any related development. ■春生 資深翻譯員
|
放大圖片
