The death of
the Filipino
seaman is the
first in Hong
Kong linked
to the swine
flu virus. A
Filipina maid
is in critical
condition.
the Filipino
seaman is the
first in Hong
Kong linked
to the swine
flu virus. A
Filipina maid
is in critical
condition.
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Filipino seaman succumbs to swine flu
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filipino globe online edition
Man is first Hong Kong fatality; maid in critical condition
JOSE MARCELO HONG KONG
A 42-year-old Filipino seafarer has gone down as the first swine flu-related
death in Hong Kong even as a Filipina domestic helper remains in critical
condition at a Kwun Tong hospital.
Officials of the Centre for Health Protection initially said the Filipino seaman
had died of community-associated methicillin resistant staphylococcus
aureus, or more commonly known as the “superbug” flu virus.
JOSE MARCELO HONG KONG
A 42-year-old Filipino seafarer has gone down as the first swine flu-related
death in Hong Kong even as a Filipina domestic helper remains in critical
condition at a Kwun Tong hospital.
Officials of the Centre for Health Protection initially said the Filipino seaman
had died of community-associated methicillin resistant staphylococcus
aureus, or more commonly known as the “superbug” flu virus.
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A hospital
spokesman
said the maid’s
case was “the
most severe
case of swine
flu Hong Kong
has found
spokesman
said the maid’s
case was “the
most severe
case of swine
flu Hong Kong
has found
But succeeding laboratory tests revealed he
had also been afflicted with human swine
flu.
Although health authorities have yet to
ascertain the exact cause of death, he is on
record the first A H1N1 sufferer to die in the
territory.
The sad news came as a second Filipino
fights for her life at United Christian
Hospital, her breathing controlled by a
sophisticated life support system that
had also been afflicted with human swine
flu.
Although health authorities have yet to
ascertain the exact cause of death, he is on
record the first A H1N1 sufferer to die in the
territory.
The sad news came as a second Filipino
fights for her life at United Christian
Hospital, her breathing controlled by a
sophisticated life support system that
doctors hope would allow her lungs to rest and, hopefully, recover.
The 37-year-old from Tarlac City, who returned to Hong Kong on June 28 to
take up work with a new employer six months after giving birth, had been
confined in the hospital’s intensive care unit since July 7 and on life support
since July 12..
A hospital spokesman said the maid’s case was “the most severe case of
swine flu Hong Kong has found.”
On July 13 specialists, with the family’s permission, switched the patient from
a mechanical ventilator to an extracorporeal membrane oxygen ation system,
which essentially acts as the lungs of a patient in cases of severe respiratory
failure.
Doctors hope the procedure, which they had described as “fraught with risks,”
would enable the helper’s lungs to recuperate.
The helper remains listed in critical condition four days after the switch.
“It is our hope that her lungs improve and she makes a full recovery,” said
vice consul Val Roque, who with Consul General Claro Cristobal
accompanied the patient’s sister during the delicate procedure.
Another concern over the helper’s case arose when it was revealed she was
twice tested for human swine after suffering from flu-like symptoms days after
her arrival – and each time came out clean.
It was only after a molecular test on July 7 that authorities found strains of
swine flu in her body. By then she was already suffering from severe
pneumonia.
Her female employer, who is pregnant, and the husband are both under
close watch while the helper’s sister, a domestic helper who works for the
patient’s former employers, has shown no flu symptoms.
Hong Kong health officials said the Filipino seaman had developed fever,
cough and chest pains on July 3 while aboard the Greek-registered cargo
ship MSC Mykonos, which left Hong Kong’s shores on June 30.
By the time the ship returned to Hong Kong on July 8, his health had
deteriorated. He was confined at Rutonjee Hospital in Wanchai where tests
showed he had developed pneumonia and multiple organ failure. He died on
July 10.
Center for Health Protection controller Thomas Tsang Ho-fai did not rule out
the possibility the delay in treatment may have led to his death. Tsang also
said the seaman had probably contracted human swine flu outside Hong
Kong.
The 37-year-old from Tarlac City, who returned to Hong Kong on June 28 to
take up work with a new employer six months after giving birth, had been
confined in the hospital’s intensive care unit since July 7 and on life support
since July 12..
A hospital spokesman said the maid’s case was “the most severe case of
swine flu Hong Kong has found.”
On July 13 specialists, with the family’s permission, switched the patient from
a mechanical ventilator to an extracorporeal membrane oxygen ation system,
which essentially acts as the lungs of a patient in cases of severe respiratory
failure.
Doctors hope the procedure, which they had described as “fraught with risks,”
would enable the helper’s lungs to recuperate.
The helper remains listed in critical condition four days after the switch.
“It is our hope that her lungs improve and she makes a full recovery,” said
vice consul Val Roque, who with Consul General Claro Cristobal
accompanied the patient’s sister during the delicate procedure.
Another concern over the helper’s case arose when it was revealed she was
twice tested for human swine after suffering from flu-like symptoms days after
her arrival – and each time came out clean.
It was only after a molecular test on July 7 that authorities found strains of
swine flu in her body. By then she was already suffering from severe
pneumonia.
Her female employer, who is pregnant, and the husband are both under
close watch while the helper’s sister, a domestic helper who works for the
patient’s former employers, has shown no flu symptoms.
Hong Kong health officials said the Filipino seaman had developed fever,
cough and chest pains on July 3 while aboard the Greek-registered cargo
ship MSC Mykonos, which left Hong Kong’s shores on June 30.
By the time the ship returned to Hong Kong on July 8, his health had
deteriorated. He was confined at Rutonjee Hospital in Wanchai where tests
showed he had developed pneumonia and multiple organ failure. He died on
July 10.
Center for Health Protection controller Thomas Tsang Ho-fai did not rule out
the possibility the delay in treatment may have led to his death. Tsang also
said the seaman had probably contracted human swine flu outside Hong
Kong.
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