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The Hong Kong health authorities will intensify precautionary measures to guard against the introduction of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) infection into Hong Kong after the Mainland health authorities concluded that the suspected case of SARS in Panyu of Guangzhou was a laboratory confirmed SARS case.
Speaking at a press conference today (January 5), Dr Yeoh said the Department of Health (DH) and Hospital Authority (HA) would implement additional precautionary measures against SARS so that any suspected cases could be detected at an early stage and control measures put in place. The DH and HA has stepped up anti-SARS measures since the case was listed as suspected.
"To facilitate early detection for implementation of public health control measures, we are setting up a surveillance system to monitor patients with pneumonia who have a history of travel to Guangdong Province during the 10 days before the onset of symptoms," Dr Yeoh said.
He stressed that the DH had met with representatives of medical groups last Saturday (January 3) to brief them on the latest developments relating to the suspected SARS case in Guangzhou and to enlist their support in implementing the new measures.
According to the surveillance system, public and private hospitals as well as general practitioners in clinics would pass information about patients with pneumonia symptoms and of history of travel to Guangdong Province to the DH for contact tracing and analysis.
DH's Public Health Laboratory Centre would conduct polymerase chain reaction tests on these patients for early detection of any SARS coronavirus infection. The department would also provide health advice to the close contacts and look for early signs of the spread of the disease.
"We need both the help of private doctors and the public's cooperation in making this surveillance effective," Dr Yeoh said.
In view of the expected increase in the number of SARS tests from public and private hospitals, both DH and HA had also expanded the capacity of their laboratories to cope with the increased workload, he added.
Outlining other measures to protect public health, the Director of Health, Dr Lam Ping-yan, said authorities would put up more broadcasts and health educational materials at the border checkpoints with Guangdong, on top of the health declaration and temperature screening measures which had been implemented for each incoming traveller from Guangdong.
The DH would also send letters to doctors and hospitals to provide them with updates, infection control advice, and collaboration in disease surveillance.
"We will closely monitor the latest situation, keep the community informed of developments and constantly reassess the need for further measures," Dr Lam said.
On the hospital front, the Chief Executive of HA, Dr William Ho said accident and emergency departments and outpatient clinics would take the temperature of all patients, and those with fever or respiratory symptoms would have to wait and have consultations at designated areas. Healthcare workers who take care of patients with fever and respiratory symptoms are required to put on full protective gear.
"To protect them from infection, all healthcare workers and visitors to hospitals will be required to wear surgical masks in all hospitals areas," Dr Ho said.
HA's Central Committee on Infectious Disease would closely monitor the situation and development, and review infection control measures accordingly, Dr Ho added.
The Hong Kong Government had been taking proactive measures since the case was listed as suspected. SARS Alert Level (a) of the SARS contingency mechanism remained in force. All responses applicable to this alert level as laid down in the Government's SARS checklist of measures to combat SARS had been put in place.
Dr Yeoh said: "We have maintained full alert and vigilance against SARS. We shall continue our three-pronged strategy in tackling any resurgence of SARS - early detection, swift contact tracing, and effective containment."
"The public clearly has an important part to play in forestalling the disease. Everybody should strictly observe personal hygiene practices and seek medical consultation if they feel unwell," Dr Yeoh added.
Ends/Monday, January 5, 2004
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