H7N9 alert lowered
June 12, 2014
Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man says the Government has lowered its Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic from "Serious" to "Alert" as no new H7N9 case has been detected in Hong Kong in the last two months.
He told reporters today the risk of the disease’s spread in the region has declined.
“The Government, however, will continue to keep a close watch on the situation and maintain tight contact with the World Health Organisation with a view to updating our overall outbreak management plan whenever appropriate.”
The Hospital Authority and the Department of Health have also adjusted their clinical and infection control measures, including the duration of the quarantine period, the introduction of more oxygenation machines in public hospitals, and the improvement of quarantine camps.
On Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Dr Ko said the Centre for Health Protection has formulated the Preparedness Plan for MERS to strengthen Hong Kong’s response capacity for the disease.
He urged people to avoid contact with wild birds and animals when travelling abroad, and called on the tourism trade to not arrange activities for travellers that involve contact with camels.
