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The Department of Health (DH) received notification from the Guangdong health authorities today (January 17) that the two suspected cases of SARS involving a 20-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man in Guangdong were laboratory confirmed SARS cases.
A DH spokesman reminded members of the public to remain vigilant in prevention of the disease.
The spokesman said the DH was maintaining close communication with the Guangdong health 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, we are mindful of the large volume of population flow between Guangdong and Hong Kong.
"Members of the public, especially travelers, are urged to observe good personal and environmental hygiene.
"To be safe, recent travelers to Guangdong who have fever and symptoms of respiratory tract infection should consult their doctors at once," the spokesman said.
"To facilitate early detection and implementation of public health control measures against SARS, we have set up a surveillance system to monitor patients with pneumonia who have a history of travel to Guangdong during the 10 days before the onset of symptoms.
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.
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 co-operative in observing infection prevention guidelines.
For further information on SARS, please visit the website: http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/eindex.htm.
Ends/Saturday, January 17, 2004
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