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The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, said the unusual features of the respiratory viral infection cases in the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) would need time to investigate.
"So far, investigation shows that the infection mainly affected health care workers and some of the close relatives of infected patients. Community surveillance showed no sharp increase in the number of cases of influenza or pneumonia in the past two months.
"We shall continue to conduct laboratory and epidemiological investigation to identify the micro-organism responsible for the outbreak and undertake to update the public regularly of any new development of the investigation. We intend to make public any new information on a daily basis in the initial period.
"There is no cause for worry on the part of the public," Dr Yeoh said.
Giving an account on the infection affecting some medical and nursing staff in the PWH at a press conference today (March 13), Dr Yeoh said the Hospital Authority (HA) had further strengthened infection control measures in public hospitals while the Department of Health (DH) would enhance its education and preventive efforts in the private health care sector and the community.
Dr Yeoh said the Government was highly concerned with the recent outbreak and he would personally lead a steering group comprising health experts and officials from HA and DH to speed up information exchange and coordinate preventive efforts being taken out by various parties.
The Deputy Director of Health, Dr Leung Pak-yin, would also chair an expert group bringing together experts from the HA, DH, and the University of Hong Kong and Chinese University of Hong Kong to investigate into the matter.
As of today, 24 public medical and nursing personnel hospitalised had shown initial signs of pneumonia, two of them are in serious condition and the rest are all in stable condition.
HA's Chief Executive, Dr William Ho, noted that the PWH had designated wards to receive patients showing signs of pneumonia-like infections.
"The situation in PWH is managed in accordance with well-established procedures of infection control.
"The hospital had also taken measures to contain the spread of the virus," he added.
These included the requirement of all medical staff to adopt droplet precaution, i.e., put on masks, gowns and gloves when in close contact with patients with respiratory diseases. Staff forums were organised and reminder guidelines issued.
At the macro level, Dr Yeoh said the Government would closely liaise with our neighbours for information exchange, and invite the World Health Organisation (WHO) to provide technical support and advice.
"On the latest education and preventive measures, DH has issued a letter to update all doctors on the current situation. All private and public hospitals have been urged to step up infection control measures and report to the Department unusual pattern of illness, " Dr Margaret Chan, the Director of Health, said.
DH had also issued guidelines on prevention of communicable diseases to residential care homes for the elderly and people with disability, and also to child care centres, kindergartens and schools. The relevant information had been uploaded on the Department's homepage at www.info.gov.hk/dh.
"We know that this is an unusual situation and we need more time to investigate and understand the cause of infection.
"With our effective surveillance system and high quality medical and public health services, the Hong Kong public and overseas travelers can be rest assured that Hong Kong is a safe place," Dr Yeoh said.
Meanwhile, DH reminded the public to take the following measures to prevent respiratory infections:
*Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
*Maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
*Maintain good ventilation;
*Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation; and
*The young, the elderly and those with chronic diseases should consult their doctor promptly if they develop respiratory symptoms.
End/Thursday, March 13, 2003
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