如何防備流感
HOW TO PREVENT INFLUENZA
衞生署中央健康教育組
Central Health Education Unit
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
October 2005
What is Influenza?
Influenza (flu):


is a highly infectious
viral disease
caused by various types
of influenza viral strains
Seasonal Influenza
In Hong Kong, the disease is more common in periods from January to March
and from July to August.
病毒株數目
GOPC: General Out-patient Clinics
GP: General Practitioners
Consultation rate of influenza-like illness and number of influenza isolates in 2004
Influenza Pandemic
3 pre-requisites for the
start of an Influenza
Pandemic
 A novel influenza virus subtype
emerges and humans in general
have no immunity against it
 The new virus must be able to
replicate in humans and cause
serious illness
 The new virus must be efficiently
transmitted from one human to
another
Photo: source from CDC
‘Influenza pandemic’ Vs
‘Seasonal Influenza’
When compared to localised
“seasonal” influenza epidemic,
the influenza pandemic:
 Spreads quicker and broader
 Usually associates with higher
severity of illness and a higher
death toll
 Has more serious consequences,
greater social and economic
impact
Photo: source from CDC
The relationship with Avian Influenza

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The Hong Kong 1997
experience and the recent
situation in Vietnam have
demonstrated the
pandemic potential of
H5N1
The threat of H5N1 to
human health is closely
related to the outbreaks of
HPAI (Highly Pathogenic
Avian Influenza) in poultry
The surveillance of
potential virus responsible
for pandemic influenza is
an important part of
contingency preparedness
Preparedness Plan for Influenza
Pandemic
The Government's 3-tier
response system for handling
major infectious disease
outbreaks
 Alert Response Level

Serious Response Level

Emergency Response Level
Alert Response Level
Scenarios :

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Confirmation of highly pathogenic avian
influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in poultry
populations outside Hong Kong
Confirmation of HPAI in Hong Kong in
imported birds in quarantine, in wild birds, in
recreational parks, in pet bird shops or in the
natural environment
Confirmation of human case(s) of avian
influenza outside Hong Kong
Actions from Public – Alert Level

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Maintain normal way of life
Pay attention to further announcements
from the Government
Serious Response Level
Scenarios:


Confirmation of HPAI outbreaks in the
environment of or among poultry population
in retail markets, wholesale markets, farms
in Hong Kong due to a strain with known
human health impact
Confirmation of human case(s) of avian
influenza in Hong Kong without evidence
of efficient human-to-human transmission
Actions from Public - Serious Level

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Maintain normal way of life
Prepare enough masks for possible
exigencies
Pay attention to and comply with
guidelines issued by the Government
Emergency Response Level
Scenarios :


Evidence of efficient human-to-human
transmission of novel influenza overseas
or in Hong Kong
Influenza pandemic
Actions from Public - Emergency Level


Use mask appropriately
Pay attention to and comply with
guidelines issued by the Government
Current level ?
Why Should We Prevent Influenza
Changeable surface antigens of influenza viruses
Potential threat
Antigenic drift
(minor changes)
Seasonal influenza
Antigenic shift
(major changes)
Emergence of
pandemic strain
Influenza
pandemic
How to Prevent

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Avoid touching live birds and poultry and their
droppings
After contact with live birds and poultry, wash
hands thoroughly with liquid soap and water
immediately
Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked
before eating
Travellers returning from areas with reported
avian flu outbreaks should consult doctors
promptly if they have symptoms of influenza after
the trip. Let the doctors know the travel history
and wear a mask to prevent spread of the
disease
How to Prevent

Ensure good ventilation

Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation


Prevent the trap of drainage pipe from drying and
disinfect drain outlets. Pour half a litre of water into
each drain outlet and add 1 teaspoon of 1:99 diluted
household bleach solution into the outlet once a week
Keep your home clean, wipe furniture and toilet with
1:99 diluted household bleach solution once a week
How to Prevent
8 Steps to Protect Yourself

Individual preparedness
 Before the pandemic comes
 When the pandemic comes
8 Steps To Protect Yourself
Step 1
Be prepared
Step 2
Get vaccinated
Step 3
Keep hands clean
Step 4
Use mask properly
8 Steps To Protect Yourself
Step 5
Know how influenza presents
Step 6
Manage fever well
Step 7
Practise healthy lifestyle
Step 8
Be resourceful
Step 1 : Be Prepared

Follow a healthy lifestyle

Consult a doctor for
influenza vaccination
Step 1 : Be Prepared
Build up good personal hygiene
• wash hands frequently
• wear mask when symptoms of
respiratory tract infection develop
• cover mouth and nose with tissue
when coughing or sneezing and
dispose of soiled tissue properly in a
lidded rubbish bin
• avoid touching eyes, mouth or nose
Step 1 : Be Prepared


Keep at home
•
Masks
•
Antipyretics for use when necessary
•
Thermometer
•
Liquid soap
•
Tissue
Be always ready with
information of family doctor &
other useful information
Step 2 : Get Vaccinated

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Seasonal peaks : Jan - Mar /
Jul – Aug
Influenza vaccination
 one of the effective means of
preventing influenza
complications
Influenza vaccination is
recommended to special groups
Step 2 : Get Vaccinated
People who should
receive influenza
vaccination:

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Elderly persons living in
residential care homes
Long-stay residents of
institutions for the disabled
Elderly persons aged 65 years
or above
Persons with chronic illnesses
Health care workers
Poultry workers
Children aged 6 to 23 months
Pregnant women in their
second or third trimester

Influenza vaccine can be
given on the same day as
other types of vaccines
Step 2 : Get Vaccinated

People not suitable to
receive influenza vaccination:
Allergic to eggs, neomycin, etc
• Allergic to previous dose of
influenza vaccine
• With bleeding disorders or on
warfarin
 deep subcutaneous injection
• Suffer from acute febrile illness
 receive when recover
•
Step 2 : Get Vaccinated


Two weeks after vaccination
 antibodies develop and
provide protection
Immunity declines over time
Step 2 : Get Vaccinated


Yearly influenza vaccine is
targeted on seasonal influenza
only
Development of a new vaccine
which matches the pandemic
viral strain will probably take
several months to complete
Step 3 : Keep Hands Clean
When Should We Wash
Our Hands?
Before touching eyes, mouth & nose
 When hands are contaminated by
respiratory secretion
e.g. after coughing / sneezing
 After touching public installations
or equipment
e.g. escalator handrails,
elevator control panels,
door knobs
 Before handling food or eating
 After going to toilet

Step 3 : Keep Hands Clean
Steps to Good Hand Washing :


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•
Wet hands under running
water
Apply liquid soap and rub
hands together to make a
soapy lather
Massage all the fingers
properly for at least 20
seconds
Rinse hands thoroughly
under running water
Step 3 : Keep Hands Clean

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Dry hands thoroughly with
clean cotton towel / paper
towel / hand dryer
The tap may be turned off by
using the towel wrapping the
faucet
Note: Rub hands with 65-95% alcohol
handrub to disinfect them when
hand washing facilities are not available
Step 4 : Use Mask Properly

outward

Inward
A way to prevent spread of
respiratory tract infections
Surgical masks  prevent
spread of droplet infections
Step 4 : Use Mask Properly

People who should
wear masks:
Patients with respiratory
infection symptoms
• Caregivers of patients with
respiratory infection
symptoms
• Visitors of clinics or hospitals
•
Step 4 : Use Mask Properly
Points to note about wearing a surgical
mask :
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
The mask should fit snugly over the face
Try not to touch the mask once it is secured on
your face. If you must do so, wash your hands
before and after touching the mask
When taking off the mask, avoid touching the
outside of the mask
Step 4 : Use Mask Properly
Points to note about wearing a surgical
mask :
 After taking off the mask, put the mask into a
plastic or paper bag before putting it into a
rubbish bin with a lid
 A surgical mask should be changed at least
daily
 Replace the mask immediately if it is
damaged or soiled
Step 5 : Know How Influenza Presents
Incubation period: about 1-3 days
Signs and symptoms of influenza:

Fever
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Headache

Muscle ache
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Cough
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Sore throat

Runny nose
Step 6 : Manage Fever Well
FEVER － Symptom of underlying illness
(we should be concerned about the specific illness
that causes fever)
Normal body temperature
 37℃ / 98.6℉
 can vary 1℃- 1.5℃ normally
Readings taken as reference
under different methods of
measurement:
Rectal temperature (38℃)
 Oral or tympanic temperature (37.5 ℃)
 Axillary temperature (37.0 ℃, less
reliable)

Step 6 : Manage Fever Well
Self-care tips of fever:
Dressing in lightweight clothing
and using light blanket
 facilitates escape of body heat
 Maintaining good ventilation of
indoor areas
 facilitates escape of body heat
 Drink an adequate amount of water
 Consume nutritious and easily
digestible food
 Have adequate rest

Step 6 : Manage Fever Well
Self-care tips of fever:
Check body temperature regularly
 Take antipyretics
 Symptoms persistent, severe or
getting worse
 consult a doctor

Note:
General households should maintain
about one week’s supply of antipyretics
for use when necessary
Step 7 : Practise Healthy Lifestyle
Is one of the most effective ways to
prevent communicable diseases
To lead a healthy lifestyle:

Eat a balanced diet

Get regular exercise

Do not smoke

Have adequate rest
 build up body resistance
Step 7 : Practise Healthy Lifestyle
Major components of
a balanced diet

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A variety of food
Whole grains as the major
component of each meal

Plenty of fruits and vegetables

Adequate amounts of fluids
Step 7 : Practise Healthy Lifestyle
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Eat adequate amounts of
lean meat or beans, and
reduced fat dairy products
Avoid processed or
preserved food and food
that is rich in fat,
cholesterol, salt and sugar
Have regular meals
Step 7 : Practise Healthy Lifestyle
Regular exercise :
 30 minutes every day /
accumulate exercise time in multiple
sessions not less than 10 minutes
each
 Physical activity of moderate intensity
 builds up cardiovascular endurance
 enhances heart and lung functions and
blood circulation
 improves health
Step 8 : Be Resourceful
Medical organisation hotlines
Useful websites

Department of Health
•
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www.dh.gov.hk
Centre for Health Protection

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www.chp.gov.hk
24-hour Health Education Hotline of
the DH: 2833 0111
• ‘Influenza Pandemic’ Hotline of
the
DH: 187 2222
• Tel nos. of hospitals under the HA
having 24-hour emergency services
• Tel nos. of private hospitals having
24-hour emergency services
Knowledge can alleviate fear


Before crisis comes: Go through Influenza
Pandemic Preparedness Kit
During the pandemic: Up-to-date and
accurate information & government advice
available through pamphlets, posters,
websites, hotlines & the media
Be prepared in advance
 Understand Influenza
 Work Together


Prevent the PANDEMIC