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SARS Bulletin (22 April 2003)
As at 21 April, a total of 1,402 patients have been admitted to public hospitals with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Of these, 321 (22.9%) are health care workers or medical students while 1,081 (77.1%) are patients, family members or visitors/contacts. A total of 436 patients (31.1%) have recovered and been discharged from public hospitals. There are a total of 94 fatal cases. About 73% of all deaths had co-existing illnesses with SARS. 2. A breakdown of the deaths in age groups (up to 21 April) is as follows: -
3. Clinical experience suggests that people who have fever, chills and body ache should seek medical treatment as soon as possible, as early confirmation of the contraction of SARS would produce good recovery rate. The overall response to the treatment protocols now in used in Hong Kong is over 80%. Most of the people who failed to respond to the combination of treatments fell into following four main categories: -
Cases in Tai Po District 4. As of 21 April 2003, a total of 111 SARS cases were reported in Tai Po district, representing 7.9% of all SARS cases in Hong Kong. The 111 cases consisted of 54 males and 57 females, with age ranging from 2 to 89 years and a median of 43 years. About half of the cases are related to hospitals or healthcare workers. 5. Most of the cases were scattered in different buildings in Tai Po district. Estates with 5 or more cases including Fu Shin Estate (14), Kwong Fuk Estate (13), Tai Yuen Estate (10), Tai Wo Estate (9), and Fu Heng Estate (5). 6. We have strengthened our health promotion and control measures in the community, including disinfection of environment, pest control and advice on personal hygiene. Infection control in hospitals has also been stepped up, and visitors to hospitals are prohibited to minimize exposure. In addition, relevant epidemiological information has been scrutinized to identify potential cluster to guide implementation of appropriated control measures.
Mainland - Hong Kong Expert Group Meeting 7. The first meeting of the expert group on prevention and treatment of SARS between the Guangdong Health Department and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was held on 17 and 18 April in Guangzhou. Besides experience sharing, the experts conducted in-depth discussions on the occurrence of SARS in the two regions from various perspectives, namely, hygiene administration management, clinical treatment, epidemiology and pathology. After the two days' meeting, consensus was reached in the following areas:
8. The second expert group meeting will be held in Hong Kong in May to exchange the latest information on control of the spread of SARS.
Measure Body Temperature of Passengers 9. With effect from 17 April, all passengers departing at the Hong Kong International Airport will be required to have their body temperature taken before check-in. Any outbound passengers with a body temperature of over 38 degrees Celsius would be required to seek medical advice. Passengers who have fever or symptoms suggestive of SARS should not board a plane. As at 21 April, no one was suspected to have SARS among 52 383 persons departed from the airport. 10. As the check-in time may take longer, departing passengers are advised to arrive at the airport earlier. Passengers are advised to check with their carriers for lead-time required prior to flight departure. Information on measures for outbound passengers is available at the Airport Authority's homepage (http://www.hongkongairport.com). 11. In addition, the Government is also planning to measure the body temperature of all inbound passengers arriving at the Hong Kong International Airport. Further information about this measure will be announced in due course. Home Confinement 12. Since 10 April, the Director of Health has required all household contacts of confirmed SARS patients to confine themselves at home for monitoring and treatment up to a maximum of 10 days. As at 21 April, a total of 688 persons (from 262 households) have been affected by this requirement. The Social Welfare Department has provided a wide range of assistance, including provision of daily necessities and financial assistance, to 427 of these persons (from 154 households). 13. Implementation of the home confinement arrangement has so far been smooth. As at 21 April, the Department of Health (DH) has only issued a total of 31 warning letters. Follow-up action showed that all these defaulters have complied and stayed at home.
Smoking & SARS 14. Smoking damages the cardiovascular system. If smokers contract SARS, the chance of recovery will be lowered. To prevent oneself from contracting the disease, members of the public should quit smoking immediately for the following reasons:
15. For more information, the public may call the Smoking Cessation Hotline at 2961 8883 or browse the website of DH's Tobacco Control Office: http://www.tobaccocontrol.gov.hk. Further Information 16. To empower the public in fighting against the disease, DH has also issued advices and guidelines on prevention of the SARS for various sectors. Health education information is available on the 24-hour pre-recorded hotlines (2833 0111) and has been uploaded onto DH's homepage (http://www.info.gov.hk/dh). A hotline (187 2222) has also been provided for public enquiries.
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