Stringent control measures enforced by the Government against SARS have proven effective, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said in Geneva.

Speaking at a technical briefing session on SARS at the 56th World Health Assembly today, Dr Yeoh told health experts from around the world that Hong Kong has been most cautious, prudent and responsible in managing the virus.

"Since May 4, the daily reported cases have been in single digit territory, and since May 11, Hong Kong has more than achieved the WHO target of having an average of five new cases per day," he said.

"There is also evidence that our contact tracing is thorough and of good quality - 91% of our SARS cases can be linked to a known source of exposure. Of those whose exposure cannot be determined, serology results show that more than half were negative for coronavirus."

Sharing Hong Kong's experience with other participants, Dr Yeoh said the Government adopted a four-pronged strategy to contain the outbreak: early detection; swift contact tracing; prompt isolation and quarantine; and, effective containment.

To enhance public awareness of SARS and of seeking prompt treatment, the Government has implemented a comprehensive public education programme.

On contact tracing, Dr Yeoh said the work had been strengthened by the use of modern technology, the highly sophisticated Police computer system that helped case investigation and rapid contact tracing.

Turning to prompt isolation and quarantine, Dr Yeoh said extra steps had been taken to prohibit SARS contacts from leaving Hong Kong during the 10-day incubation period.

"Using information that is accurate and transmitted online, contacts of SARS patients can be identified swiftly, and actions of home quarantine and medical surveillance of up to 10 days can be implemented rapidly," he said.

On the fourth strategy, effective containment, Dr Yeoh said it comprised of three components, namely the multi-disciplinary response team, protection of healthcare workers, and health checks at border points.

Dr Yeoh said he was confident that partnership and co-operation among various jurisdictions would help Hong Kong prevail over the disease.

He said Hong Kong could pull through the saga thanks to its team of dedicated and professional healthcare workers.

"We are also fortunate to have an understanding and co-operative public who have stood behind us in our fight against the disease despite considerable inconvenience.

"Last but not least is the determination of the Government in taking different decisions to implement the necessary public health and infection control measures."

Dr Yeoh thanked the WHO for its leadership, support, guidance and help in bringing SARS under control in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Dr Yeoh also met with Irish Minister for Health Michael Martin to update him on the latest SARS situation in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Economic & Trade Affairs representative to the European Community, Chris Jackson, arrived in Dublin today to have meetings with Irish Government officials.

Secretary for Home Affairs Dr Patrick Ho said it is important to let Irish health authorities have a true picture of the SARS situation in Hong Kong.

"If the Irish authorities have the opportunity to be briefed by Hong Kong experts, they will know that we have done our level best to contain the spread of the disease and that our Special Olympics team will also take stringent precautionary measures before departure."