June 27, 2001
The Department of Health (DH) today (June 27) reiterated that a carton containing laboratory specimens from patients, was intact and would not pose any health hazards to cargo handlers at the Hong Kong International Airport.
Packed in accordance with international requirement for transport of infectious substance, it was accidentally dropped onto the ground on transit through the airport from the Philippines yesterday (June 26) evening.
Seven air-cargo staff who as a precautionary measure had been admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for observation last (June 26) night, were discharged from hospital this (June 27) afternoon.
Fire Services Department officers were called to the scene and promptly sealed the carton into a container.
A doctor from DH's Port Health Office made an initial assessment at the scene and said that there were no health hazards to air cargo handlers and the general public.
He took the container to the Port Health Office at the airport for safe keeping.
The carton was examined today (June 27) in a public health laboratory and no breakage was found.
It was later returned to the owner and packaged again for transport to South Korea.