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In view of the recent human cases of Influenza A (H7N9) and novel coronavirus infection, the Director of Health of Hong Kong, Dr Constance Chan, today (April 16) met with the Director General of the Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Mr Gao Yuchao, in Shenzhen to exchange views on the health inspection and quarantine measures at the boundary control points (BCPs) in the two places. Both sides agreed to enhance relevant arrangements on the prevention and control of infectious diseases at the BCPs in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed the existing point-to-point notification mechanism and patient transfer arrangement and pledged to enhance co-operation in areas namely health checks for cross boundary students as well as health publicity and education to travellers leaving Shenzhen to Hong Kong in order to prevent the spread of the diseases.
As regards the health checks for cross boundary students, the Shenzhen authority will advise symptomatic students to refrain from going to schools in Hong Kong, put the students under medical surveillance at home or send them to hospitals for further management in Shenzhen. The cases will then be notified to Hong Kong. Health checks and temperature screening for cross boundary students will also be strengthened for early identification of symptomatic students. In addition, a referral mechanism has been set up by the Shenzhen and Hong Kong authorities under which referral of cross border travellers including students who are found ill at the BCPs in Hong Kong will be arranged by the two sides. The Shenzhen authority will then coordinate and arrange the travellers to receive medical attention and treatment in their home places.
Furthermore, the Shenzhen authority will organise briefings for cross boundary student service centres and school bus operators in order to furnish them with relevant health advice and messages and enhance their awareness of the inspection and quarantine measures to be taken at the BCPs.
Meanwhile, the Shenzhen authority will enhance its health publicity and education for cross border travellers leaving Shenzhen during the Labour Day holiday in the Mainland from April 29 to May 1. Seminars will be held by travel agencies to provide health advice to travellers visiting Hong Kong. Additional manpower will also be deployed to BCPs in both places to enhance temperature screening and health checks for visitors.
During the meeting, both sides had also confirmed the point-to-point communication list for all BCPs in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the real time notification of cases of infectious diseases as well as the update of information on the measures taken at BCPs.
After the meeting, Dr Chan said, "The Department of Health (DH) noted the Shenzhen authority's analysis of the epidemics and its health inspection and quarantine measures implemented at the BCPs. We are grateful for Shenzhen's long-lasting support to Hong Kong in the fight against infectious diseases."
Attending today's meeting also included the Deputy Director General of the Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Mr Hu Longfei; the Director of Health Quarantine Division of the Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Mr Li Zhengliang; the Assistant Director of Health (Special Health Services), Dr Monica Wong; and the DH's Chief Port Health Officer, Dr Edwin Tsui.
Ends/Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:18
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