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The Department of Health (DH) today (January 11) received notification from the Mainland health authorities about a second suspected SARS case involving a 35-year-old man in Guangdong and reminded members of the public to remain vigilant in prevention of the disease.
According to the information from the Mainland health authorities, the patient did not have a recent travel history to Hong Kong.
Speaking at a media session this afternoon, DH's Consultant in Community Medicine, Dr Thomas Tsang, said the department was maintaining close communication with Guangdong authorities and was closely watching developments.
Hong Kong has been free from SARS since early June 2003. Although there is no case in Hong Kong yet, DH is mindful of the large volume of population flow between Guangdong and Hong Kong.
"Members of the public, especially travellers, are urged to observe good personal and environmental hygiene.
"To be safe, recent travellers to Guangdong who have fever and symptoms of respiratory tract infection should consult their doctors at once," Dr Tsang said.
Meanwhile, DH appealed to reporters to exercise caution when covering news on SARS and observe health precautionary measures.
To facilitate early detection and implementation of public health control measures against SARS, DH have set 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.
Under the surveillance system, public and private hospitals as well as general practitioners in clinics will pass information about pneumonia patients with history of travel to Guangdong Province to the DH for contact tracing and analysis.
The DH has been proactively taking measures to protect the health of Hong Kong people in light of the recent developments in Guangdong:
* maintaining mandatory health declarations and temperature screening checks for passengers arriving from Guangdong;
* stepping up broadcasts at boundary check points; and
* deploying medical staff to distribute health alert cards to passengers arriving by plane from Guangzhou.
Healthcare providers in the public and private sectors collaborate closely in the fight against SARS. To keep medical partners fully aware of the updated situation, the latest press releases, advice and information related to SARS for healthcare professionals can be found at the SARS website http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/e_profession.htm.
Healthcare providers have been reminded to maintain vigilance in infection control and disease reporting.
For prevention of respiratory tract infection, the public are 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.
Everyone visiting a hospital should put on a mask and wash their hands before leaving. They should follow instructions of healthcare staff and be cooperative in observing infection prevention guidelines.
For further information on SARS, please visit the website: http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/eindex.htm.
Ends/Sunday, January 11, 2004
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