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The Department of Health (DH) contacted Taiwan's Centre for Disease Control this morning (April 25) and confirmed that a 40-year-old Taiwanese passenger put under hospital isolation after returning from Beijing last night had preliminary negative laboratory results for SARS. His six colleagues are asymptomatic and put under medical surveillance.
Investigations by the Department of Health revealed that the Taiwan passenger had traveled from Beijing to Hong Kong on flight CA 109 (Air China) and from Hong Kong to Taipei on flight CX 402 (Cathay Pacific) on April 24.
A DH spokesman said DH approached the Taiwan health authority in view of the fact that the Taiwan passenger who had on board these two flights developed fever after returning to Taiwan.
Passengers on board these two flights can call DH's hotline 187 2222 for health advice.
"While the Taiwanese passenger has a negative preliminary laboratory result for SARS, travelers on board CA 109 and CX 402 yesterday can call the hotline if they are concerned about their health," the spokesman said, adding that "those who have developed respiratory symptoms including fever, chills and cough should seek medical treatment immediately."
The spokesman said that DH will maintain close contact with the Taiwan health authority on the situation.
The hotline will be operated to 9 pm today and between 9 am and 5 pm from Monday to Friday.
"Members of the public who have respiratory symptoms or feeling unwell should avoid traveling by plane before recovery," he added.
The spokesman reminded the public to adopt the following precautionary measures to prevent respiratory tract infection:
* Maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
* Maintain good ventilation; avoid crowded places with poor ventilation;
* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking.
Ends/Sunday, April 25, 2004
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