Prevention of nosocomial transmission of influenza A (H7N9) in Hong Kong

Abstract

Influenza A (H7N9) emerged as a human pathogen in China in early 2013. Although there is no evidence of local transmission of H7N9 in Hong Kong, human cases imported from China are sporadically encountered. Person-to-person transmission of H7N9 has been reported among household contacts of infected patients.1 To protect healthcare workers (HCWs) and hospital inpatients, an infection control preparedness strategy was established in our public health system, which includes active disease surveillance, early isolation of suspected cases, rapid molecular diagnostic testing, use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during patient care, and contact tracing for HCWs and hospitalized patients with unprotected exposure.