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A cross-boundary public health exercise by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) and Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (SZCIQ) was conducted at Shenzhen Bay Port today (May 9), ahead of the 26th Shenzhen Summer Universiade (the Universiade) in August, to enhance communication and coordination between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in the event of a public health incident.
Code-named Jasper, the exercise aims to test the response of the two sides in the event of an infectious disease outbreak during the Universiade period. The morning exercise comprised two parts, the first being conducted in Shenzhen while the second took place in Hong Kong, involving the participation of the Customs and Excise Department, Fire Services Department, Immigration Department, Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Shenzhen Bay Port Facility Management Office.
The exercise scenario unfolded when a man, among a group of 36 spectators of the Universiade travelling to Shenzhen, was found to have fever and was suspected to have contracted Disease X, a severe emerging disease spread by droplets, at the Shenzhen Health Screening Post. The man, a foreign visitor, was sent to hospital in Shenzhen for further investigation and treatment.
Since the index patient was suspected to have contracted Disease X, the whole tour group was put under medical surveillance in Shenzhen. His two friends, who were considered asymptomatic close contacts, were returned to Hong Kong for medical surveillance and treatment as they were Hong Kong residents.
The SZCIQ informed the Port Health Office of the DH to facilitate the return of the two asymptomatic close contacts. A series of inter-organisational responses and coordinated procedures were activated accordingly. The exercise ended with the two close contacts sent for medical examination at a Hong Kong hospital, and disinfection of the immigration counter and health post at Hong Kong Shenzhen Bay Port.
About 130 participants from Government departments and organisations from Hong Kong and Shenzhen took part in the exercise, and observed by about 200 experts from Hong Kong, Mainland and Macao health authorities.
Ends/Monday, May 9, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:16
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