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The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, accompanied by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, and the Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan, inspected the port health measures at the Hong Kong International Airport this afternoon (June 5) to learn more about the front-line preparatory work for disease prevention.
Mr Leung inspected the special arrangements for health surveillance on arriving passenger flights from Korea implemented by the Port Health Office of the Department of Health (DH) and the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA). From today onwards, all incoming flights from Korea are directed to designated areas with a view to facilitating health assessment of inbound travellers by port health personnel. Thermal imaging systems are in place at the entrance of the terminal for body temperature checks. Travellers found to have fever will be escorted to the health posts for further health assessment. Those with fever or respiratory symptoms who recently visited any health-care facility in Korea would be classified as suspected cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS Coronavirus.
Mr Leung said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is highly concerned about the latest developments of MERS and has stepped up various preventive measures, and will raise the response level and activate the preparedness plan when necessary. The Government will also continue to work closely with the World Health Organization as well as overseas and neighbouring health authorities to monitor the latest developments of the disease.
Mr Leung also visited airport staff from the Immigration Department, the Customs and Excise Department, the Hong Kong Police Force and the AA to express his gratitude for their support in inspecting inbound travellers and tracing suspected cases. He also thanked the front-line medical staff of the DH and the Hospital Authority, and all relevant departmental staff who have assisted those being put under isolation and surveillance, for their dedication and perseverance in carrying out disease prevention duties.
Mr Leung urged the public to complement and support the preventive measures implemented by the Government and maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene during travel. He also reminded Hong Kong residents travelling to Korea and other places experiencing MERS outbreaks to avoid visiting health-care facilities and contact with patients, camels and other animals. People who develop fever or respiratory symptoms after returning to Hong Kong should report truthfully to the medical staff at the boundary control points or family doctors.
Ends/Friday, June 5, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:27
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