HK: Tamiflu to prevent infection

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Hong Kong has lifted the quarantine on the people who've had close contact with the region's confirmed flu patient. They're to go to designated clinics for Tamiflu doses and check-ups.

Researchers say the A/H1N1 virus is mild, and its ability to mutate is relatively low. The 400 quarantined people who took Tamiflu all tested negative. Researchers say the risk of community-level infection is low if exposed people take Tamiflu and wear masks. The fatality rate of A/H1N1 is 0.3 percent to 0.4 percent, which is similar to seasonal flu.

Researchers say Hong Kong cases are likely to be contracted locally, given the city's frequent contact with North America, Europe and Japan. The authority's plan is to close all primary schools and kindergartens if there's a community-level outbreak. Seven clinics have been designated to treat flu-symptom patients.