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The Department of Health (DH) today (March 19) called on the public to observe good hygiene during the Easter holiday to prevent infectious diseases such as seasonal influenza, avian influenza and dengue fever, whether they are staying in Hong Kong or travelling overseas.
The Chief Port Health Officer of DH, Dr Henry Kong, said, "We should particularly be vigilant against seasonal influenza as Hong Kong is currently at the height of influenza season, which is expected to last for some time."
While travelling abroad or staying in Hong Kong, members of the public are urged to take the following measures to prevent influenza:
* consult their doctors for medical advice promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection;
* maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* wash hands after sneezing or coughing and wear a mask when developing symptoms of respiratory tract infection;
* maintain good ventilation;
* build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and not smoking; and
* avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation, especially during influenza season.
Meanwhile, DH has been closely monitoring the situation of avian influenza. A series of preventive measures against avian influenza are already in place in Hong Kong, including the broadcasting of health messages on board all in-bound flights from places with recent human avian influenza cases. Health information leaflets are also being distributed to passengers leaving for these places.
Dr Kong appealed to travellers to avoid direct contact with chickens, their faeces or visits to farms. If contact has been made, they should wash hands thoroughly with liquid soap and water as soon as possible.
"They should also be alert to any symptoms of influenza-like illness including fever, sore throat and cough after returning to Hong Kong. If symptoms develop, they should seek medical attention promptly and provide the travel history to the doctor," Dr Kong noted.
As for dengue fever, he said there were 58 imported cases of dengue fever last year and seven imported cases were reported to DH so far this year.
"It is an endemic disease transmitted by mosquitoes in many Southeast Asian countries. Higher infection rates were reported in recent months in some of these countries, including Singapore and the Philippines," he said.
Noting that the best way to prevent dengue fever was to avoid mosquito bites, Dr Kong urged travellers to take the following preventive measures:
* Wear long-sleeved tops and trousers;
* Use insect repellent containing DEET over the exposed parts of the body;
* Use mosquito screens or nets when rooms are not air-conditioned.
"In addition, members of the public should always be on guard against food poisoning caused by bacteria or viruses or other food-borne diseases, such as cholera," he noted.
He called on members of the public to adopt the following measures:
* Clean and cook food thoroughly before consumption, particularly crustacean and bivalve seafood such as shrimps, crabs, oysters and clams;
* Handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross contamination;
* Keep raw and cooked food separately;
* Store food in the refrigerator (at four degree Celsius or below) and adequately reheat leftover food before consumption; and keep the environment clean;
* Do not patronise unlicensed food hawkers;
* Wash hands with soap before eating and after coughing, sneezing and going to the toilet.
Travellers can make use of DH's Travel Health Centre's one-stop service including health risk assessment, travel-related advice, vaccinations and prescription of preventive medications. Details are available on DH's Hong Kong Travel Health Service website: www.travelhealth.gov.hk. The latest issue of Travel Health Bulletin, with advice to travellers visiting South Asian countries, is also available there for public reference.
Ends/Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:51
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