Health Surveillance for airline passengers

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A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (April 10) called on passengers who had taken any of the following seven flights of Lufthansa German Airlines between March 30 and April 5 to call DH¡¦s hotline 187 222 for health advice.

The plea follows the detection of a confirmed case of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) involving a 48-year-old man who had taken these flights during the period.

The seven flights are : LH 731 on March 30 (Hong Kong

to Munich)

LH 4316 on March 31 (Munich

to Barcelona)

LH 4303 on April 2 (Barcelona

to Frankfurt)

LH 4520 on April 2 (Frankfurt

to London)

LH 4671 on April 3 (London

to Munich)

LH 265 on April 4 (Munich

to Frankfurt)

LH 738 on April 4 (Frankfurt

to Hong Kong)

Initial investigation revealed that the man had developed symptoms after he arrived at Barcelona on March 31. He was admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on April 8 and confirmed to have SARS today.

DH has informed the Airport Authority and the airline concerned. Advice was also given to the airline concerned to disinfect the airplane.

DH is tracing the crew members and passengers who had taken these seven flights for surveillance purpose.

The spokesman reminded people who have respiratory symptoms including fever, chills, malaise and cough to avoid traveling by plane before recovery.

End/Thursday, April 10, 2003

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