Press Releases
SFH on human swine flu (with photo/video)
Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (May 15) after meeting
representatives of chambers of commerce and small and medium enterprises on
Hong Kong's fight against a possible pandemic:
Secretary for Food and Health: We had a meeting with representatives from
various chambers of commerce, particularly responding to some of the
concerns regarding how to continue normal activities, commercial activities
in Hong Kong and overseas. We discussed the preparation for people
travelling to Hong Kong, and also people going to infectious places. And we
are particularly concerned about a group of Hong Kong delegates going to Las
Vegas at the end of this month for a jewellery exhibition. So we have given
them a list of advice of what they need to do, and what they need to be
concerned with, this is particularly referring to how to protect themselves
with suitable protective gear and antiseptics, how to make sure they have
travel insurance, and also medical insurance before they go, and how to
handle the exhibition venue so that they can have normal activities with the
customers.
Reporter: While you were having this meeting, there is another Asian country
confirmed a new case of human swine flu, in Malaysia, and that person also
returned from US. Have you heard anything from the US since you wrote? And
what about the Chinese Health Minister?
Secretary for Food and Health: I think the US government has already
responded, and I believe that what they have done has already been
announced. I shall be going to Geneva to attend the World Health
Organisation assembly, so I hope that I will be able to gather more
information on the pandemic regarding the various countries, and how they
deal with this flu and hopefully also get more information from scientists
who research this virus so that we know how to handle it better.
Reporter: One follow up question. The delegation is going to the jewellery
fair in the US. Would you consider when they come back to Hong Kong, whether
they have any symptoms or not, to isolate them for seven days?
Secretary for Food and Health: I have given the advice to all the trade
representatives that the existing policy in Hong Kong is still enforced. So
if they have any illness, I advise them not to fly, either from Hong Kong or
back to Hong Kong, depending on where they are. It is important that they
should be healthy when they fly.
Reporter: (Advice to the public)
Secretary for Food and Health: As I have said, we are only at the beginning
of this possible pandemic, so we need to stay vigilant all the time. It
doesn't mean that we need to be too protective of everything, and not have
normal activities. Our citizens and our society must maintain as much as
possible normal activities that we used to enjoy. But we have to take
special precautions, particularly for the hygiene of ourselves and also our
environment. More particularly, we need to look after each other and care
for each other. We can only be able to contain and mitigate this epidemic if
we are working as a team and as long as we are united.
Reporter: Any progress report on the second swine flu case? After the
incubation period, will he be able to be released?
Secretary for Food and Health: I think he has passed the incubation period.
He is under treatment. So as long as he is well and no longer infectious,
then he can be discharged. I do not know the existing situation, but I think
he is still in very stable condition.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, May 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:14
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(Photo)