In an update on the pneumonia cases, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said 47 patients are under observation, four more than yesterday.

The four new cases include three from an additional 'cluster' - a doctor in general practice and two nurses who have seen a patient with pneumonia. Another new patient is from the Pamela Youde Nethersole Easten Hospital.

Dr Yeoh said there are now 37 patients with pneumonia, an increase of eight from yesterday. Twenty-four of them are from Prince of Wales Hospital. Among them, 22 are in stable condition and two in critical condition.  

He said they are now watching closely and separately four clusters of people who have had close contacts with pneumonia patients:

* healthcare personnel in the Prince of Wales Hospital;

* healthcare personnel in Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital;

* healthcare personnel and close relatives looking after pneumonia patients in Kwong Wah Hospital; and

*private-sector clinics.

Dr Yeoh said, "We are interested in a very specific subset of atypical pneumonia that seems to have a predilection to affect healthcare workers and very close relatives."

Meanwhile, Dr Yeoh stressed, they do not find features at the moment that suggest a spread of pneumonia in the community, and the Hospital Authority is continuing its infection-control procedures in hospitals to limit the number from increasing in each cluster.

On reports that people who had traveled to Hong Kong and contracted pneumonia upon their return to their home countries, Dr Yeoh said this occurs in all types of pneumonia. He would call upon the World Health Organisation to make a clearer case definition to avoid confusion in the international community.

The Tourism Commission has already informed the Consulates of the latest situation in Hong Kong. 

In addition, Dr Yeoh said he would give an update of the cases to the Consulates next week, so that their nationals can make an informed choice as to whether Hong Kong is safe or not.