Expert homes in on sick holidaymakers

Cheng Wong

People experiencing flu-like symptoms should avoid going out on return to Hong Kong, health expert Lau Yu-lung urged.

Lau, chairman of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases, noted that Hong Kong is in the midst of the flu season, with 137 recorded deaths in the first five weeks of the year.

He said yesterday that popular travel destinations for Hongkongers, such as Japan and South Korea, are also in the midst of flu season, leading him to worry that travelers may bring the virus back to the city.

Lau said that those who return home with symptoms should refrain from going out and rest until they have recovered.

If people are particularly concerned about the risk of infection, they can request antiviral medication from their doctor before departure.

Japan and South Korea began their flu seasons over a month earlier than Hong Kong, he said, but even if their infection rates are dropping, they are still higher than in Hong Kong.

He suggested that adults under 49 who plan to travel prepare one or two packs of rapid flu test kits to check for illness if they start feeling unwell.

Regarding the tragedy of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu's death from flu complications in Japan, Lau said he had heard about her ongoing health issues and believed her passing resulted from various factors.

He urged the public to get vaccinated against seasonal flu as more than 70 percent of severe cases involve unvaccinated patients.

Lau indicated that data would need to stabilize for two weeks before any decline in flu cases can be observed.

He estimated that this would not take long, although some of his colleagues believe it may take longer.