'H9 bird flu transmission risk not high'

A respiratory physician on Sunday said there was no evidence suggesting that the H9 bird flu virus is highly contagious. David Lam's remarks came after health authorities reported a local infection of the avian influenza strain involving a two-year-old boy, whose condition was mild. Lam, who's also vice chairman of the Hong Kong Lung Foundation, said the avian flu virus is different from human influenza viruses that spread among humans. “The infectivity is believed to be quite low. And the virulence, that means the aggressiveness of the virus, is believed to be low,” he said. “Right now, we don't have avian flu vaccination. But of course, the human flu – the H series include H1, H3 – it’s in the same series as the H flu series in the avian flu. “So what we believe is that we should also encourage people to receive appropriate flu vaccination in order to avoid getting the infection.” Lam called for stepped-up education efforts to enhance people’s understanding of flu vaccination, as a survey showed more than half of respondents had misconceptions on people's eligibility for flu vaccines. The survey, conducted by three respiratory medicine organisations, interviewed more than 1,400 people earlier this year. It found that some people mistakenly believed people with egg allergies, pregnant women and those who had a flu shot a year earlier should avoid vaccination. The survey also showed insufficient public awareness on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that affects over one-fourth of seniors aged 60 or above, as well as asthma. Lam said nearly 30 percent of respondents believe patients with these diseases should rest more and exercise less due to shortness of breath, which is opposite to the truth. He called on patients to conduct regular and moderate exercises to improve their physical conditions. Edited by Edmond Fong