The Centre for Health Protection announced yesterday (1st) that a 38-year-old man (case 12433) who had been diagnosed with new coronary pneumonia in Hong Kong from another place was confirmed to have the mutant virus strain Omicron. The patient had travelled to Nigeria from Papua New Guinea. Arrived in Hong Kong via Qatar and stayed at the Hong Kong airport for 4 days due to visa problems.
The head of the Department of Microbiology, Du Qihong, who led the HKU team to successfully isolate the Omicron variant virus from clinical specimens, said today (2nd) that in the face of new variant viruses, airports need to consider whether people from high-risk areas need daily testing. Or they may be prohibited from staying at the airport. They also believe that even if transit passengers are allowed to stay, infection control measures should be taken, including separating those staying in high-risk areas from general passengers and airport staff.
The 38-year-old male patient arrived in Hong Kong from Qatar via flight QR818 on the 24th of last month and waited for the transfer. He stayed in the restricted area of the airport due to visa problems.
Du Qihong: Should consider whether people staying at the airport need daily testing
The head of the Department of Microbiology, Du Qihong, who led the Hong Kong University team to successfully isolate the Omicron variant virus strain from clinical specimens, said in a radio program today (2nd) that although he is not sure about the airport’s relevant measures for transit passengers, he is facing new variants For the virus, the airport needs to consider whether it needs daily testing for people from high-risk areas or prohibits them from staying at the airport.
In addition, he also believes that even during the stay at the airport, "something is separated from other passengers or staff, and the measures to prevent infection must be considered." The airport should also take ventilation measures.
Du Qihong, the head of the Department of Microbiology, who successfully isolated the Omicron variant virus strain, stated in a radio program today (2nd) that in the face of the new variant virus, the airport needs to consider whether people from high-risk areas need to be tested daily or ban them. Stay at the airport.
(Profile picture)
There are many possibilities for a large number of gene mutations in the variant virus strain Omicron
The variant virus strain Omicron is coming fiercely. Some experts estimate that it is related to the virus infecting animals and then infecting people, causing genetic mutations; some experts believe that it is related to more AIDS patients in South Africa.
Du Qihong believes that there are many possibilities for the new variant virus to have a large number of genetic mutations, including the virus "shuffling" in animals and then infecting humans; patients with poor immune systems, such as AIDS patients, after being infected with the new coronavirus, " Viruses can be very resistant in the body. In a few weeks or even months, the virus can mutate so sharply.” He also pointed out that the virus also has a chance to evolve slowly, but because in some places, every patient will not be genetically sequenced. , So it has not been detected.
The picture shows the immunofluorescence image detection of the NP protein of the Omicron variant virus.
The left is the uninfected group; the middle and the right are the 48-hour infected group.
(Information picture/provided by HKU)
Du Qihong pointed out that the virus strain isolated by the team this time can be used for different experiments to help study the effectiveness of the vaccine and the spread of the virus. In the future, the people of Hong Kong will draw blood from vaccinated persons and recovered persons for experiments to test neutralizing antibodies. For the effectiveness of the mutant virus, it is expected that there will be results within two to three years, and I believe it will help future vaccine development.
AA: Airlines must arrange passengers to transfer flights within 24 hours
The AA replied yesterday that the stranded passengers in this case will be required to stay in designated areas and be guarded by security guards. There are currently no stranded transit or transit passengers. All airlines will be strictly required to arrange for passengers within 24 hours. For internal transfers, airlines that fail to comply with the regulations may face penalties and have already taken serious follow-up actions with the airlines concerned.
New crown pneumonia. Latest | Customs clearance "Hong Kong Health Code" is now available. Omicron reaches 4 hidden worries Reproductive mutation Omicron｜The successful isolation of virus strains from the University of Hong Kong has an impact on health policies and vaccine development. Omicron｜The team of Yuan Guoyong from the University of Hong Kong successfully isolated the virus strains. Three pictures to see the spread of infected cells in 48 hours. Entry
