The Department of Health has expressed concern over the outbreak of an acute respiratory illness in an elderly home in British Columbia, Canada.

It has contacted Canadian health officials for more information and will closely monitor the situation.

The department said, based on information obtained from the Canadian health authority, the illness detected among the staff and residents of the elderly home has been relatively mild.

Health Canada said the outbreak is clinically not compatible with SARS but there is laboratory evidence of SARS-corona virus infection among some patients. Further laboratory tests are being conducted.

Noting that the majority of those affected have fully recovered, the department said 10 deaths have been reported, all among frail elderly individuals and at least two of these were not related to the outbreak.

The department has alerted the Hospital Authority, private hospitals and all doctors to the outbreak and reminded them to maintain vigilance in infection control and disease reporting.

A similar letter has also been sent to all elderly homes reminding them to follow healthcare guidelines issued to them earlier.

All elderly homes in Hong Kong and residential care institutions for the disabled run by the Social Welfare Department will be alerted to take all necessary precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, the department has strengthened control measures at HK International Airport. Health alert cards are being distributed to air passengers arriving from Canada.

It has deployed health care staff to watch for ill people among passengers, in addition to the on-going stringent health screening measures at the airport, including temperature screening and health declaration.

An information sheet about the situation in Canada and health advice will be distributed to passengers coming from and leaving for Canada.

To prevent respiratory tract infection, people are advised to:

* Maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;

* Maintain good ventilation;

* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation;

* Consult a doctor promptly if respiratory symptoms develop;

* Put on a mask if suffering from respiratory tract infection to reduce the chance of spreading it to others; and,

* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking.