Hong Kong on high alert for H7N9  

香港加强监测、控制甲型流感H7N9

香港特区政府卫生署与医院管理局2日举行会议，讨论内地确诊人类感染甲型流感H7N9个案的最新情况，加强对有关疾病的监控措施。

Hong Kong (CNS) -- Hong Kong will enhance surveillance for suspected H7N9 cases in the city, according to a meeting held by the region's Department of Health and Hospital Authority on Tuesday.

"We are maintaining close contact with mainland health authorities and will closely monitor advice from the World Health Organization," said Leung Ting-hung, head of the Centre for Health Protection under the Department of Health.

Hong Kong residents are advised to avoid direct contact with poultry and birds or their droppings, said Leung.

He also warned medical staff in the city to be more vigilant.

At another meeting jointly held Tuesday by the Hong Kong Hospital Authority; the Center for Food Safety; the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; and the Centre for Health Protection, experts along with professors from the University of Hong Kong also conducted risk assessments of H7N9 avian influenza.

Four people in Jiangsu Province have been confirmed as being infected with the lesser-known strain, bringing the total number of infections in the country to seven