The spatiotemporal diffusion of Pandemic Influenza (H1N1)2009 in Hong Kong

From 1 May 2009 when the first case of H1N1 in Hong Kong was reported through the end of September 2009, a total of 24,415 successfully geo-coded cases were studied. To investigate the spatial and temporal patterns of H1N1 spread, space-time K-function, implemented on the programme R, was applied. Four geographic regions were delineated in the exploration, but only in two of these, namely, Hong Kong Island and North, were statistically significant results obtained. On Hong Kong Island, clustering was detected from an intercase distance of 5 km and intercase time of 12 weeks onwards, which reflect continuous spread of H1N1 over the whole region without local outbreaks. In North, however, clustering in short intercase time periods suggested the occurence of local outbreaks. In conclusion, though Hong Kong is only a small city in size, the clustering patterns of H1N1 in urban (Hong Kong Island) and rural (North) regions had varied greatly.© 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of [name organizer]