Hong Kong quarantines hotel in swine flu case

Hong Kong on Friday quarantined for seven days guests and staff at the hotel where a Mexican man who tested positive for swine flu had stayed, Health Secretary York Chow said.

Hong Kong on Friday quarantined for seven days guests and staff at the hotel where a Mexican man who tested positive for swine flu had stayed, Health Secretary York Chow said.

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“We have also exercised the authority... so that we will first isolate the hotel and also... ensure the relevant people are quarantined for seven days,” Chow told reporters.

“We will also prescribe Tamiflu for them, which is proven to be an effective prophylactic for this disease.”

He said around 200 people would be affected by the quarantine order, issued under the control and prevention of disease ordinance.

Hong Kong authorities were also trying to find the two taxi drivers who were in contact with the man, as well as passengers who flew with him on China Eastern flight MU 505 from Shanghai.

“We are also tracing the passengers who were on the same flight as this patient, particularly the three rows in front and three rows behind,” Chow said.

“We’re prepared to have them sent to hospital for inspection and also for quarantine,” he said
Other passengers and crew would also undergo health checks.

“With this I hope that we can minimise the spread of this possible virus to our community,” the health secretary said.