Press Release

New suspected SARS case in Guangdong under close watch

January 8, 2004

Following notification from the Guangdong health authorities about a new suspected SARS case in Guangzhou involving a 20-year-old female, the Department of Health (DH) reminded members of the public to remain vigilant in prevention of the disease.

At a stand-up media briefing today, the acting Deputy Director of Health, Dr Regina Ching, said the DH was maintaining close communication with Guangdong authorities and was closely watching developments.

Hong Kong has been free from SARS since early June 2003. "Although there is no case in Hong Kong yet, we are mindful of the large volume of population flow between Guangdong and Hong Kong.

"Members of the public, especially travellers, are urged to observe good personal and environmental hygiene.

"To be safe, recent travellers to Guangdong who have fever and symptoms of respiratory tract infection should consult their doctors at once," Dr Ching said.

"To facilitate early detection and implementation of public health control measures against SARS, we have set up a surveillance system to monitor patients with pneumonia who have a history of travel to Guangdong Province during the 10 days before the onset of symptoms," Dr Ching said.

Under the surveillance system, public and private hospitals as well as general practitioners in clinics will pass information about pneumonia patients with history of travel to Guangdong Province to the DH for contact tracing and analysis. From January 6 to noon today, a total of 54 pneumonia cases were received for follow-up.

The DH has been proactively taking measures to protect the health of Hong Kong people in light of the recent developments in Guangdong:

maintaining mandatory health declarations and temperature screening checks for passengers arriving from Guangdong;
stepping up broadcasts at boundary check points; and
deploying medical staff to distribute health alert cards to passengers arriving by plane from Guangzhou.

Healthcare providers in the public and private sectors collaborate closely in the fight against SARS. To keep medical partners fully aware of the updated situation, the latest press releases, advice and information related to SARS for healthcare professionals can be found at the SARS website http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/e_profession.htm .

Healthcare providers have been reminded to maintain vigilance in infection control and disease reporting.

Regarding the recent report of three television crew members being admitted into Queen Mary Hospital after working in Guangzhou, Dr Ching said they developed respiratory tract infection symptoms. According to information provided by HA today, fever has subsided for the time being and their chest x-rays were clear.

None of the colleagues who travelled together with the patients are reported to have symptoms so far, Dr Ching said, adding that the DH would continue to monitor the situation.

For prevention of respiratory tract infection, the public are advised to adopt the following precautions:

Maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing or blowing the nose;
Maintain good ventilation;
Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation;
Consult a doctor promptly if respiratory symptoms develop;
Put on a mask if suffering from respiratory tract infection to reduce the chance of spreading the infection to others; and
Build up good bodily immunity by maintaining a proper diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking.

Everyone visiting a hospital should put on a mask and wash their hands before leaving. They should follow instructions of healthcare staff and be cooperative in observing infection prevention guidelines.

For further information on SARS, please visit the website: http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/eindex.htm .

08 January 2004