WHO team arrives to study SARS outbreak

A small team of environmental health experts, provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), began its investigations today (April 28) into aspects of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome in Hong Kong.

The team members are helping the Department of Health to further investigate risk factors involved in the possible environmental transmission of SARS in residential buildings.

"The Hong Kong health and environment authorities have done an excellent job in investigating SARS outbreaks in residential buildings including Amoy Gardens and the Metropole Hotel," the WHO team leader in Hong Kong, Dr Udo Buchholz, said.

"Our environmental team will work hand in hand with the Hong Kong authorities to see where value can be added and to determine together what leads are the best ones to follow."

The four members of the team, all from Health Canada, have combined expertise in mechanical ventilation, plumbing systems, airborne monitoring and sampling, and strong analytical skills.

The environmental specialists join the WHO team of epidemiologists who have been working for some weeks in Hong Kong assisting the Health Department in its response to SARS.

The environmental team comprises:

* Dr Heinz Feldmann (team leader) - infectious diseases specialist/virologist, specialising in sampling, interpretation of data and epidemiology of communicable diseases.

* Mr Immo Tilgner - who has extensive expertise in mechanical building systems, including evaluation of ventilation and plumbing systems.

* Mr Allen Grolla - specialist in technical sampling and analysis and molecular detection of viruses.

* Dr Ramon Flick - virologist with expertise in mechanical virology sampling and analysis and virus isolation from different samples.

Additional environmental health experts from Australia may join the WHO team later depending on the number of projects agreed to be undertaken.

The environmental health team's first visit today was to the Public Health Laboratory where they will access facilities to analyse environmental samples.

Residential estates that the team will inspect during their stay, include Hing Tung Lau, Amoy Gardens, the Metropole Hotel and Koway Court. The team is expected to remain in Hong Kong for about three weeks.

End/Monday, April 28, 2003