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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is closely monitoring developments concerning reports of deaths due to unknown cause in Sichuan.

     A CHP spokesman said today (July 23) that the CHP had been informed by the Ministry of Health in the Mainland about such reports.

     The spokesman said that the CHP was maintaining close communication with the Ministry of Health and would continue monitoring the situation closely.  

     The public are advised to observe the following as precautionary measures during travel especially to rural areas:

*  To prevent insect bites by wearing long-sleeve clothes and trousers, use insect repellants over the exposed parts of the body, use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned;

*  Clean and cover all wounds properly and avoid exposing open wounds to soil, polluted stream or pond water and any contaminated object;

*  To avoid contact with sick or dead animals and their excreta or body fluid;

*  Avoid contact with unknown chemicals, including agricultural chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides etc;

*  Observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene practices; and

*  Returning travellers should consult their medical doctors and report their travel history if they do not feel well.

Ends/Saturday, July 23, 2005

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