Health officials said today a total of 17 close contacts of the city's third confirmed imported case of avian influenza A (H7N9) have been identified so far, including five Queen Mary Hospital healthcare workers.
Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster Infection Control Officer Dr Vincent Cheng told a press briefing this afternoon that the doctor, nurses and assistants who had treated the patient were wearing N95 surgical masks when they came into contact with him.
He said they did not wear face shields - as required at the highest protection level - because the patient was not confirmed to have H7N9 and had no fever symptoms at the time.
Dr Cheng added that the medical team has not displayed any symptoms so far, but will be placed under quarantine.
The patient's 99 other contacts are under medical surveillance.
Separately, from noon yesterday to noon today, 17 new severe adult influenza cases were recorded, including 17 deaths. One additional death was recorded among the previously reported cases.
It brings the total number of severe adult cases to 369, including 272 deaths.
