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The Director of Health, Dr Lam Ping-yan today (December 17), said the Department of Health (DH) is calling on healthcare professionals to strictly observe precautionary measures in light of the confirmation of a SARS case in Taiwan involving a laboratory employee.
Dr Lam said DH had contacted the Taiwan health authority for more information on the case. He stressed that while it was an individual report, DH would monitor the situation and remain on high alert.
"In Hong Kong, there is a set of safety guidelines for laboratory professionals. An alert system which requires them to promptly report to the health authority when they are feeling unwell is also in place.
"Laboratories that perform work with SARS virus culture must work under Biosafety Level 3. Laboratories undertaking SARS tests are required to put the samples in a secure and locked place.
"DH will extend the operating hours of the SARS hotline 187 2222 to 9pm today to facilitate enquiries from people returning from or leaving for Taiwan," Dr Lam said.
As a preventive measure, DH is distributing Health Alert Cards to airline passengers arriving from Taiwan and has deployed healthcare staff to the airport to watch out for ill people among these passengers. This is in addition to the ongoing stringent health screening measures at the airport, including temperature screening and health declarations.
"An information sheet about the situation in Taiwan and health advice will be distributed to passengers coming from and leaving for Taiwan.
"Recent travellers to Taiwan who have fever and symptoms of respiratory tract infection should consult their doctors at once," Dr Lam said.
DH has alerted the Hospital Authority and is informing, private hospitals, all doctors and laboratory personnel in Hong Kong about the incident.
"They have been reminded to maintain vigilance in infection control and disease reporting," Dr Lam said.
"We will also send letters to all traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to advise them to be vigilant.
"Even though Hong Kong has been free from SARS since early June, members of the public, in particular people travelling to Taiwan, are reminded to remain vigilant and observe good personal hygiene," Dr Lam added.
For prevention of respiratory tract infection, the public is advised to adopt the following measures:
* Maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing or blowing the nose;
* Maintain good ventilation;
* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation;
* Consult a doctor promptly if respiratory symptoms develop;
* Put on a mask if suffering from respiratory tract infection to reduce the chance of spreading the infection to others; and
* Build up good body immunity by maintaining a proper diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking.
For further information on SARS, see the SARS website: www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/eindex.htm.
Ends/Wednesday, December 17, 2003
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