*******************************************************
The Government has updated its avian influenza website (www.gov.hk/info/flu) as part of a major publicity drive to ensure that the public is fully informed about the disease and measures to prevent its spread.
The website provides comprehensive up-to-date information on avian flu, including Government releases on preventive measures being taken in Hong Kong, health advice and global statistics.
The website gives clear guidelines on practical measures the public can take to avoid contracting both influenza and the more serious strain of avian flu. The Frequently Asked Questions section covers everything from hygiene and vaccination to handling poultry and taking anti-viral drugs. Advice urging the public to step up personal hygiene and maintain a healthy lifestyle, which will help build immunity to avian flu, is available in the form of leaflets and the Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Kit which can be downloaded from the website.
One of the fact sheets gives basic information on what avian flu is, how it is transmitted, its symptoms and most importantly, how it can be prevented. The fact sheet, originally translated into 17 languages, is now also available in Dutch, Italian, Korean and Portuguese to cater to the needs of both Hong Kongˇ¦s ethnic minorities and overseas visitors.
The site has separate pages tailored to the needs of specific sectors, such as the Hong Kong community; healthcare professionals; poultry trade; teachers, students and parents; and tourists and travellers. A handy search box and sitemap make navigating the site easy.
The website has a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) application. This allows subscribers to receive automatically the latest news updates on avian flu via their personal computers, smart phones or personal digital devices.
To ensure the entire community has access to information, a full list of information and emergency hotlines is included on the site. There are also a number of useful links to relevant agencies here and overseas, including the local Centre for Health Protection and the World Health Organisation.
Ends/Sunday, November 13, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:01
NNNN
