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The government today (February 8) distributed a leaflet to the public, including ethnic minorities, at nine popular locations to drive home the message of preventing avian flu.
The arrangement is part of the Government's effort to step up publicity and raise public awareness.
The leaflet, entitled "What You Should Know about Avian Flu", comes in two versions, one in Chinese and English and the other in Tagalog, Thai and Indonesian. The print run for the two versions amounted to about 2 million copies.
Both versions of the handout contain two sections. The first explains what avian flu is while the other provides advice on measures the public can take to prevent catching
the disease.
Copies of the leaflets were distributed at the following places from 9am to 6pm today:
* Ground Plaza of the HSBC Main Building, Central
* Chater Garden
* Statue Square
* St Joseph's Church, Central
* Victoria Park
* Star Ferry concourses on both sides of the harbour
* Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
* Kowloon Park
The bilingual version of the leaflet is also being distributed at public housing estates, public enquiry service centres of the Home Affairs Department and recreation and cultural venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Copies are also available to visitors at Hong Kong International Airport and all land border control points and ferry terminals.
Both versions of the leaflet are available for collection at the Central Health Education Unit of the Department of Health, Publishing Sub-division of the Information Services Department on 4/F, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central, and the various branches of major supermarkets in Hong Kong.
In addition, a new poster draws the public's attention to prevention measures such as cooking all foods derived from poultry, including eggs, thoroughly before eating.
Another poster targets outbound travellers, emphasising that they should avoid visiting poultry farms or parks when travelling outside Hong Kong, and that they should not feed birds. Nor should they bring any birds or poultry back to Hong Kong.
Arrangements are being made for the two posters to be displayed at Government poster sites and at land, sea and air departure points.
Meanwhile, a set of Frequently Asked Questions has been uploaded to the website for Prevention of Avian Flu at www.gov.hk/info/flu.
Ends/Sunday, February 8, 2004
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