Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ2: Dissemination of information relating to atypical pneumonia
Following is a question by the Hon Ma Fung-kwok and a reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (April 30):
Question :
Regarding the dissemination of information relating to atypical pneumonia (or known as "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome"), will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it has adopted the same methods and standards as those of the World Health Organisation in defining and classifying the figures of such cases;
(b) it will review the existing mechanism for disseminating information and consider putting in place a spokesman system; and
(c) apart from holding briefings on an irregular basis for consuls of various countries in Hong Kong, other measures will be adopted to keep overseas regions informed of the latest position of the disease in the territory?
Answer :
Madam President,
(a) In formulating the case definition for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong, the Department of Health (DH) and Hospital Authority have followed closely the definition adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), taking into account the local situation. Like the WHO, we will take into consideration chest x-ray changes, fever over 38 degrees Celsius and development of compatible symptoms in determining cases of SARS. However, we have slightly modified the symptoms criteria, in the light of symptoms observed in local cases reported earlier on. We also have to adapt the criteria for history of exposure, in view of the fact that all the local patients are residing in an affected area. The exclusion criteria adopted in Hong Kong are the same as those of the WHO (i.e. a case should be excluded if an alternative diagnosis can fully explain the illness).
(b) Situation reports on SARS, including the number of patients confirmed to be infected, the number of death cases and the daily discharge figures, as well as precautionary measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the disease, are disseminated to the public through daily briefing sessions for the media. Information disseminated by the spokesperson at the briefing sessions is supplemented by daily press releases, and the website of DH. We will regularly review the information dissemination system.
(c) Apart from holding regular sessions to brief the consular corps on the latest developments of SARS in Hong Kong and the measures taken by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, we have also organised similar briefing session for the International Business Committee, which consists of representatives from 25 foreign chambers of commerce in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Moreover, latest information on the disease, in the form of daily bulletins, is sent to these organisations to keep them abreast of developments. Our 11 Economic and Trade Offices also play a key role in disseminating information on the latest developments through meetings and briefings for interlocutors in their host economies, including the health authorities and the local media.
Given that relevant information has been posted on DH's dedicated website, we believe that information on the latest development of SARS in Hong Kong is readily accessible to overseas communities.
End/Wednesday, April 30, 2003
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