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The Department of Health (DH) has been maintaining daily contact with its Guangdong counterparts to update information on the suspected SARS case in Guangzhou, a DH spokesman said today (January 4).
Noting that precautionary measures had been stepped up at all the immigration control points, the spokesman said of the 500,000 travellers arriving from or departing for the Mainland yesterday, 13 had been found to have a fever and 39 were reported to be unwell. None of them was required to refer to hospitals for further examination.
DH's SARS hotline 187 2222 has received 86 enquiries since December 27, 2003.
"To be safe, recent travellers to Guangdong who have fever and symptoms of respiratory tract infection should consult their doctors at once," the spokesman said.
DH has reminded the Hospital Authority, private hospitals, private doctors and laboratory personnel in Hong Kong to maintain vigilance in infection control and disease reporting.
"Even though Hong Kong has been free from SARS since early June last year, the public is reminded to remain vigilant and observe good personal hygiene," the spokesman said.
For prevention of respiratory tract infection, the public is advised to adopt the following precautions:
* 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 bodily immunity by maintaining a proper diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking.
For further information on SARS, please visit the website: www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/eindex.htm.
Ends/Sunday, January 4, 2004
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