The Department of Health and the Hospital Authority (HA) of Hong Kong will adjust mitigation phase measures against the /H1N1 Influenza, a government spokesman said on Saturday.

The new measures would formally take effect on June 29 and preparatory work was now being undertaken, the spokesman said.

"Most recent data show that HSI (human swine influenza A H1N1) has become the dominant strain of influenza virus in Hong Kong, making up more than 70 percent of all influenza viruses. About one in eight patients seen at the HA's Designated Flu Clinics are tested positive for HSI. These data prove that HSI is widely circulating in the community," said the spokesman.

Up to 2:30 PM on June 26, all 596 cases of laboratory confirmed A/H1N1 in Hong Kong have been relatively mild, with no patient requiring ICU care.

"Since HSI is now widely circulating, measures such as patient isolation and contact tracing are no longer efficient in reducing transmission. Priority is now accorded to disease surveillance and management of clinically more severe cases," the spokesman said.

"Clinical specimens will continue to be collected at Designated Flu Clinics and public hospitals to monitor the activity of HSI in the community on a daily basis," he added.

Meanwhile, temperature screening, health declarations and broadcast of health messages at the control points would remain unchanged.

The spokesman said starting June 29, travelers with mild symptoms and intercepted at all boundary control points would be provided with face mask and guidance notes for seeking medical consultation.

"As for severe case, Port Health Officers will take them to public hospitals by ambulance for medical examination," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2009)