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Following is the transcript (English portion) of a media session by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, after attending a public function today (February 3):

Reporter: In the coming few days, it is going to be the peak season for Mainland visitors coming to Hong Kong. What are the precautions Hong Kong has taken? Also, do you worry there will be an outbreak of meningitis in Hong Kong?

Dr Chow: We are always concerned about new infections, either SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) or avian flu or meningitis. On the whole, I think we are confident to be able to pick them up as they are diagnosed in Hong Kong. The chance of having an extensive outbreak is not as high as some other places mainly because Hong Kong people are more concerned about personal hygiene. They also have experience during SARS of looking after themselves. I would like to advise people if they go to somewhere that is very crowded and, perhaps, in places that the local hygiene is not very satisfactory, they should ensure that they bring along masks and also wash their hands frequently. I think that would ensure that they would have minimal opportunity of being infected.

Reporter: Today, Vietnam has officially asked the WHO (World Health Organisation) in dealing with avian flu. Do you think it is out of control? Are you afraid that it may spread to Hong Kong soon?

Dr Chow: We are always concerned about Vietnam mainly because the chickens have not been vaccinated. There are also a fair number of ducks and other waterfowls that can have avian flu virus in their body. We are very alert of anything that is happening there. So far, the outbreak seems to be very localised in some of the rural areas and not concentrated in the cities. On one hand, we are concerned about the country. On the other hand, the chance of people contracting the avian flu travelling to Hong Kong is not very high. But we have already instituted advice to all the aircrafts that fly between Hong Kong and Vietnam. We also give leaflets to all the passengers. We also keep the names of all the passengers on each flight so that we can trace them in case of need.

Reporter: So, will Hong Kong provide help to Vietnam?

Dr Chow: We are always providing help to the WHO, through the WHO as well as the member state of China. In case of need, we will always be able to help. I know that some of the academics have visited Vietnam recently and assessed the situation. So, it would be better for them to let us know if they have discovered anything.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)

Ends/Thursday, February 3, 2005

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