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The Health Department (DH) has produced a series of publicity and educational materials on the prevention of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). These materials, which urge good personal and environmental hygiene as a prevention against SARS, are intended for the public, medical practitioners and visitors to Hong Kong.
A DH spokesman today (January 20) said that the publicity material included Announcements in the Public Interest for broadcast on television and radio, posters carrying the theme, "Vigilant and Prepared", calendar cards and red packets for distribution at immigration checkpoints.
The department has also produced a booklet on SARS preventive measures, which has been uploaded to the SARS homepage, www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/e_hkcomm.htm, and is available at District Offices.
The DH has issued guidelines to operators of all homes for the disabled. They are also on the DH website, www.info.gov.hk/dh/diseases/index.htm.
As for professionals, the spokesman said the DH had earlier this month joined with the Hong Kong Medical Association to promote a "Guideline on SARS for Private Medical Practitioners". The guideline has been uploaded to the DH website at www.info.gov.hk/dh.
The spokesman said that during the Lunar New Year holidays, there may be more visitors calling on residents of elderly peoples' homes. Some of the seniors and staff may also be visiting the Mainland during the holidays.
In view of the cold spell, the spokesman reminded the elderly and staff of all elderly peoples' homes to take precautious to prevent respiratory infections and ensure proper ventilation in the homes.
The following measures should be observed:
* Staff of elderly peoples' homes, especially the Infection Control Officers (ICOs), should refer to the Guideline on the Prevention of Communicable Diseases issued to them in October last year for precautionary measures and working procedures. An updated supplementary Guideline on the Prevention of SARS and Respiratory Tract Infection is being issued to all homes for the elderly;
* All staff should stay alert and adopt proper working procedures, including hand washing, to minimise the risk of cross infection among the elderly, and also for their own protection. Staff or seniors with respiratory infection symptoms should wear masks; and
* ICOs should look out for unusual patterns of fever and other diseases in the home and follow the information exchange system mentioned in the Guideline, and report suspected outbreaks to the regional offices of the DH as well as the Hospital Authority and Social Welfare Department as appropriate.
A list of hospitals providing SARS-related medical services for foreigners and residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan has been uploaded to the SARS website www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/cindex.htm.
For more information, the public can call the DH's 24-hour pre-recorded health education hotline 2833 0111 or SARS hotline 187 2222 during office hours, or visit the DH's website at www.info.gov.hk/dh.
Ends/Tuesday, January 20, 2004
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