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The Acting Director of Health, Dr Leung Pak-yin, today (September 9) called on members of the public to be vigilant against the resurgence of SARS in the light of the confirmation of a probable SARS case in Singapore.

Dr Leung said that the Department of Health (DH) had contacted the health authority in Singapore for more information on the case. He stressed that it is an individual report and DH will keep in the view the situation and remain on high alert.

Noting that the patient works in two local laboratories, Dr Leung said DH has alerted the laboratories of the Hospital Authority, the Hong Kong University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong to tighten their surveillance and strictly observe the precautionary measures while conducting laboratory tests.

"According to our Singapore counterparts, the specimen taken from the patient will be sent to the World Health Organisation for further analysis," Dr Leung added.

As a preventive measure, DH is distributing Health Alert Card to airline passengers arriving from and leaving for Singapore and has deployed health care staff to the airport to watch out for ill persons among these passengers, in addition to the on-going stringent health screening measures at the Airport, including temperature screening and health declaration.

"Information sheet about the situation in Singapore and health advice will be distributed to passengers coming from and leaving for Singapore," Dr Leung said.

DH has alerted the Hospital Authority, private hospitals, all doctors and laboratory personnel in Hong Kong to the incident.

"They have been reminded to maintain vigilance in infection control and disease reporting.

"We have also sent letters to all traditional Chinese medicine practitioners today to advise them to be vigilant," Dr Leung said.

"Even though Hong Kong has been free from SARS since early June, the general public is reminded to remain vigilant and observe good personal hygiene," Dr Leung said.

For prevention of respiratory tract infection, the public are advised to adopt the following measures:

* Maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;

* Maintain good ventilation;

* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation;

* Consult a doctor promptly if they develop respiratory symptoms;

* Put on a mask if suffering from respiratory tract infection to reduce the chance of spreading the infection to people around them; and

* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking.

End/Tuesday, September 9, 2003

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