Pinay maid in HK with A(H1N1) critical - report

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipino household helper in Hong Kong who has contracted A(H1N1) is now in critical condition, medical authorities there said. The Hong Kong government's Information Services Department said the Filipino woman's case is the second serious case of the virus in special administrative region. "Results of tests taken on July 7 and 8 showed she was negative for Influenza A. But one taken yesterday was positive for Influenza A, while further tests carried out at the centre's lab today confirmed she was infected with human swine flu," it said in a news article dated July 11. Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr. Thomas Tsang said the maid, 37, needs mechanical ventilation to support her breathing. The maid is being treated at the intensive care unit at United Christian Hospital. Also, he said the Filipino's employers, a couple living in Kwun Tong, had also shown flu-like symptoms. "As the wife is pregnant, she has been admitted to hospital for observation, while the husband was prescribed Tamiflu," the Hong Kong news article said. The Filipino patient developed a fever a day after arriving in Hong Kong from the Philippines on June 28 and was given medication at a private clinic. She returned for follow-up on July 1 when an X-ray showed her lungs were clear. But her condition quickly deteriorated, and she was admitted to United Christian Hospital's intensive care unit with serious pneumonia symptoms on July 7. Tsang said they were investigating whether the maid had another hidden disease which could have led to her critical condition. In the 24 hours up to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, 58 new cases of human swine flu were confirmed, involving 26 males and 32 females, aged between two and 55. There have been 1,236 human swine flu cases in Hong Kong. - GMANews.TV