BEIJING, July 17 -- A 42-year-old Philippine seaman, who died last week with a superbug infection, was tested positive for the influenza A/H1N1 overnight, Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection announced Thursday.

    If confirmed, it would be Hong Kong's first fatality from influenza A/H1N1.

    Earlier tests found community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in the man's blood sample. The center discovered he also tested positive for the human swine flu virus on Wednesday night.

    The man flew to Hong Kong from the Philippines on June 28 and left two days later on board a cargo ship. He came down with a fever, cough and chest pain on July 3 and was admitted to the Ruttonjee Hospital with pneumonia on July 8 when he was back to the city. He had respiratory failure and died on July 10.

　　Soundbite: Thomas Tsang, Centre Controller of Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection, said, "The patient tested both methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in his blood sample and positive for the human swine flu virus. More laboratory tests and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to find out the cause of the man's death. So far we did not rule out the possibility of influenza A/H1N1 contributing to the death."

    He added the man was likely to have been infected outside the city, and a delay in seeking medical attention might have worsened his illness.

    Hong Kong's Department of Health confirmed 85 new cases of influenza A/H1N1 Thursday, bringing the total tally to 1,552, with 23 confirmed cases staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 18 cases are in stable condition, three in serious and two in critical condition.

    Tsang said the serious cases represent about 0.3 percent of the total tally, which is consistent with overseas findings. "The rate is within the expectation. The overseas fatal cases cover 1.4 percent of the total tally."

    He also urged the high-risk groups, such as patients with chronic lung, heart disease or diabetes, and people who are overweight or pregnant, to avoid crowded places and to consult doctors as early as possible if they fall sick.

    He noted Hong Kong is in the summer peak flu season, with the virus of influenza A/H1N1 at an active stage.

    Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hong Kong.

    (Source: XHTV)