SARS Update
(Tuesday, 13 January 2004)
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- Hong Kong has been free from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS) since 2 June 2003 and is a safe place to visit.
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Elsewhere |
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- Two confirmed SARS cases have been reported outside Hong Kong:
in Taiwan on 17 December 2003, and in Guangdong on 5 January 2004.
Epidemiological investigations have shown that the Taiwan patient
contracted the disease from the laboratory. The source of the
Guangdong case is still under investigation. Two other patients
in Guangdong have been classified as suspected SARS cases.
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- There was a news report on 5 January 2004 that the Philippines
had isolated a woman suspected of contracting SARS while working
as a domestic helper in Hong Kong. The case was subsequently confirmed
to be unrelated to SARS.
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Measures |
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- Hong Kong remains vigilant and prepared. The Government has
enhanced SARS preventive actions. The current response level is
Alert Level (a).
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- Hong Kong maintains close communication with Guangdong health
authorities for updated developments.
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- Mandatory health declarations are being maintained at border
points, and temperature-screening checks are mandatory for passengers
arriving from Guangdong.
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- Since 6 January 2004, Hong Kong has used an enhanced surveillance
system for reporting of pneumonia patients with a history of travel
to Guangdong within 10 days of symptom onset. So far, none of
these cases has tested positive for SARS.
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- The public is reminded to remain vigilant and practise good
personal and environmental hygiene.
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Note: This Situation Report
has been uploaded to the Department of Health’s website at http://www.dh.gov.hk.
Please visit the website for future updated Reports. |
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