Press Release

Meeting of Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases

28 September 2012

The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases(SC) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 28) convened a meeting to assess the risk and local response in light of the recent overseas human cases of novel coronavirus infection reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The SC has arrived at a consensus view that the discovery of a novel coronavirus associated with severe respiratory syndrome is significant , however, further investigations are required to fully understand the novel coronavirus and its public health implications.

At its meeting , members of the SC considered that the novel coronavirus, human betacoronavirus 2c, was genetically distinct from the SARS-coronavirus in 2003. Genetically, it is close to certain bat coronaviruses identified previously by the University of Hong Kong. Nonetheless, they shared the same view that the source and reservoir of the novel coronavirus required further investigations.

While members agreed there is so far no evidence of person-to-person transmission, much uncertainty remains its epidemiology including reservoir, mode and efficiency of transmission, clinical spectrum of illness, etc. In this regard, intensified international surveillance and laboratory testing are expected to generate more important findings to characterize the behavior of the novel coronavirus.

Turning to local response, the SC concurred with the view that surveillance for this infection is crucial. Local hospitals should take appropriate infection control precautions when admitting patients suspected to have novel coronavirus infection. Medical practitioners should report to the CHP according to the promulgated cases definitions and reporting criteria which are in line with those stipulated by the WHO.

The SC also realised that in Hong Kong, there are advanced laboratory facilities capable of testing this virus and the virus samples will be shared among the testing laboratories.

The SC will re-assess the situation as more information about novel coronavirus infection comes to light.

The SC recommends travellers who fall sick within 10 days after visiting from affected countries, to put on a mask and seek medical advice immediately, and report to doctor the travel history