Sharing the SARS experience: The WHO's Dr David Heymann thanks Hong Kong for its efforts to control the global spread of SARS.

Hong Kong has made significant contributions to the global battle against SARS, visiting WHO Executive Director of Communicable Diseases Dr David Heymann says.

Speaking at a welcome reception hosted by the Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong tonight, Dr Heymann said Hong Kong has been open and transparent over the SARS outbreak, despite its economic concerns.

"I would like to thank Hong Kong for the transparency with which it has given us the information that we need to immediately deal with the disease," he said.

Dr Heymann commended Hong Kong for providing updated information to the WHO and sharing with the world the science that made coronavirus first isolated and identified in Hong Kong, outbreak control and patient management.

As globalisation is a very important factor today for all infectious diseases, Dr Heymann looked forward to Hong Kong's contribution to the global effort over the coming months on continued case identification through surveillance.

He also looked forward to Hong Kong collaborating with the Mainland, particularly Guangdong province, to identify the virus' animal reservoir and risk factors for transmission to humans.

Welcoming Dr Heymann to Hong Kong, Dr Yeoh thanked the valuable advice and assistance provided by the WHO for bringing SARS under control globally and for its assistance to Hong Kong.

Dr Yeoh also thanked everyone in the community for their contributions to the virus fight.