研究簡介
2019年底出現的新型冠狀病毒隨即引起全球大流行，對全球健康和經濟造成重大威脅。控制新型傳染病大流行首要條件是了解其疾病的傳播模式及傳播力，即該疾病從一名患者感染另一人的傳播速度。了解疾病的傳播模式及傳播力將能決定切斷傳播鏈的方法及調整預防控制措施的強度。然而，我們對不同呼吸道病毒的傳播力及其引發大流行潛力的了解十分有限。
有見及此，我們現正展開一項研究，探討各種常見呼吸道病毒在家居環境下的傳播模式及能力。此外，我們將分析鼻腔及咽喉拭子樣本中的病毒濃度，以評估兩種拭子檢測的準確度。
本研究已獲得香港大學及醫管局港島西醫院聯網研究倫理委員會的審批（UW21-387）。
Study information
The emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 virus in late 2019 has led to a global pandemic rapidly, causing a
significant threat to global health and economy. In the control of a novel pandemic, one of the most
important aspects is to understand the transmission mode and transmissibility of the disease, i.e. how
easily the disease will spread from an infected individual to another susceptible individual.
Understanding
the transmissibility of the disease can help determine ways to mitigate the transmission chain and
adjust
the strength and intensity of the control measures. However, we have very limited knowledge on the
transmissibility of various respiratory viruses and their pandemic potential.
Therefore, we are conducting a research study to investigate the transmissibility of various common
respiratory viruses in household settings. In addition, we will assess the sensitivity of swabbing
method by
comparing the viral concentration between the nose swab and throat swab.
This study is approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong / Hospital
Authority
Hong Kong West Cluster. (IRB ref no.: UW 21-387)
參加資格
我們將邀請約350個家庭參與研究。
若您符合以下納入條件，便符合資格參與本研究：
- 3人或以上的家庭
- 家庭成員當中有一名成員在48小時内出現急性呼吸道感染徵狀*，而其他成員在過去14天則沒有出現任何徵狀
- 所有參與成員均需簽署同意書
*急性呼吸道感染徵狀包括：發燒或發冷、咳嗽、流鼻水、氣促、喉嚨痛、肌肉痛、頭痛、肚瀉
Enrolment Eligibility
We will invite 350 families to join this study.
You are eligible to join the study if you meet the following requirements:
- Family of 3 or more
- Only one member in the family presents with 2 or more acute respiratory symptoms* within 48 hours, while other family members have not had any symptoms in the past 14 days
- All participating members must provide written informed consent
*Symptoms include: fever or chills, cough, running nose, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle pain, headache or diarrhoea
計劃流程
- 出現徵狀的患者透過WhatsApp或研究網址登記（或他人幫忙登記）。
- 待研究團隊評估參與資格後將與參加者聯絡並安排上門家訪或速遞樣本包。
- 研究為期14天，研究項目包括：
- 所有參與家庭成員提供鼻腔及咽喉拭子樣本及填寫問卷（最多4次），及每天記錄徵狀變化 (參加當天直至第14天)。
參與此研究費用全免。為答謝您的參與和支持，每戶家庭將獲得：
- 提交第一次樣本後可獲得耳探溫度計一個
- 提交第二及第三次樣本後各獲得50元超市禮劵
- 提交第四次樣本後可獲得100元超市禮劵
Study Procedures
- Individuals register through WhatsApp or study website when symptoms appear (or register with the help of others).
- Research staff will contact eligible individuals and arrange home-visits or deliver collection kit to the designated location as soon as possible.
- The study duration is 14 days. Study procedures include:
- All participating members provide nasal and throat swabs and complete the survey (at most 4 times), and record symptoms daily (from the day of participation for 14 days).
No cost will be incurred for joining this study. To appreciate your support for our study, each household will receive:
- An ear thermometer (after 1st round of sample collection)
- $50 supermarket voucher each (after 2nd or 3rd round of sample collection)
- $100 supermarket voucher (after final round of sample collection)
報名方法
- 按此「立即參加」進行簡單網上登記（我們目標48小時內回覆合資格的參加者）
How to join
- Click “Join Now” to complete a simple registration form online (Due to popular demand, we aim to get back to you within 48 hours after registration)
Contact us
Email: trev.study@hku.hk
Telephone / WhatsApp: +852 9178 7768
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm (except public holidays)
關於我們
我們的研究團隊是來自香港大學公共衞生學院的傳染病流行病學專家。本研究由梁曉灡博士及高本恩教授籌辦。
香港大學醫學院公共衞生學院乃頂尖的科研和教學中心，在公共衞生教育及科研方面有多年經驗，成就卓越。我們有關傳染病及非傳染性疾病的研究工作在國際間舉足輕重，對改善本地和全球個人及人口健康有非常重大的貢獻，對教育工作亦不遺餘力。當中包括對傳染病如流行性感冒及其他新發傳染病病毒的教學及研究，亦致力於非傳染性疾病的控制、控煙、空氣污染、心理腫瘤學、行為科學、運動科學、生命歷程流行病學、醫療經濟效益、醫療服務規劃及管理等有關的研究工作。當中不少研究獲本地、國內以至國際組織（如世界衞生組織和聯合國糧食及農業組織）認同，納入其公共衞生政策當中。
港大公共衞生學院同時亦為世衞傳染病流行病學及控制合作中心（世衞合作中心）。以守護香港以至周邊地區公共健康為願景，世衞合作中心旨在協調傳染病防控有關研究，為本地及區內傳染病流行病學及控制提供教育及培訓。世衞合作中心成員現正致力於2019冠狀病毒病（COVID-19）的應對工作，並開展了多項有關學術研究計劃。
About us
Our team at the School of Public Health, the University of Hong Kong are experts in infectious disease epidemiology. This study is led by Dr. Nancy Leung and Prof. Benjamin Cowling.
The School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong (HKUSPH) has a long and distinguished history in public health education and high impact research. With world leading research in infectious diseases as well as on non-communicable diseases of both local and global importance, we have made significant contributions through its research and advocacy to improve the health of populations and individuals, both locally and globally. The School is a leading research and teaching hub in public health on influenza and other emerging viruses, control of non-communicable and infectious diseases, tobacco control, air pollution, psycho-oncology, behavioural sciences, exercise science, life-course epidemiology, and health economics, health services planning and management. Work done by us has informed international (e.g. the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization), national and local public health policies.
The School of Public Health hosts the WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC) for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control. With a view to protecting the public's health in Hong Kong and across the region, the WHO CC aims to coordinating research on the control and prevention of infectious diseases and providing local and regional education and training in infectious disease epidemiology and control. Members of the WHO CC are involved in the response to COVID-19 and conducted a range of scientific research projects.