Press Releases

SHWF: CDC decision further demonstrates confidence in HK

The decision by the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lift the travel advisory against non-essential travel to Hong Kong demonstrates that Hong Kong has successfully contained the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said today (June 5).

This decision, together with the lifting of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) travel advisory on May 23, demonstrated international confidence in Hong Kong's ability to fight the SARS virus and protect the health and safety of our citizens, he said.

Welcoming CDC's move, Dr Yeoh said its decision followed a video conference he held on Tuesday (June 3) with the CDC Director, Ms Julie Gerberding, and other officials.

At the video conference, Dr Yeoh explained how Hong Kong was using a four-pronged strategy centred on "early detection, swift contact tracing, prompt isolation and quarantine, and effective containment" to contain the spread of SARS.

"This strategy has the effects of shortening the interval between onset of symptoms and admission to hospital, limiting the infectious period of the SARS cases, and preventing further spread of the disease," he said.

"We have shown CDC that epidemiological linkage was clearly established for all SARS cases. For the past 20 days, every SARS case in Hong Kong has been successfully linked to a known source of exposure," he said.

The confirmed cases in Hong Kong had been contained in the single-digit territory since May 4 and below five since May 16, Dr Yeoh said, adding that there had not been any exportation of SARS cases from Hong Kong since April 18.

"My appreciation goes to the competent and dedicated medical professionals, researchers and carers who have joined together to help Hong Kong through this enormously challenging experience. All of Hong Kong express their thanks to all those who participated in the fight against the SARS virus.

"We shall remain dedicated to containing the SARS virus, understanding its origins and leading the world's research into developing anti-viral measures to limit the further spread of the virus. Our dedication to safeguarding the people of Hong Kong is unwavering.

"I would also like to express my appreciation to the Hong Kong community for its cooperation and resilience. I encourage the community to keep up with the high standard of personal and environmental hygiene so as to make Hong Kong a healthier and cleaner place to live in," Dr Yeoh said.

The CDC travel advisory against non-essential travel to Hong Kong was imposed on April 29, 2003.

End/Thursday, June 5, 2003
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