Press Releases
SFH meets with US Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (with photos)
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (May 18) attended
World Health Organisation's (WHO) annual assembly and a roundtable meeting
on pandemic, as well as a side meeting with the United States (US) on the
influenza pandemic preparedness in Geneva, Switzerland.
Joining the Minister of Health, Dr Chen Zhu, as a member of the China
delegation, Dr Chow had a meeting with the US Secretary of the Department of
Health and Human Services, Ms Kathleen Sebelius, to exchange views and
update information on measures taken by various parties.
Dr Chow thanked the scientists and experts of the US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention regarding their transparency and professional
integrity in sharing the discovery of the new virus, thus allowing Hong Kong
to develop the PCR test timely to contain our first index case.
He also shared with Secretary Sebelius the measures Hong Kong took in
managing exits during and after SARS, such as strong and visible health
advice, exit health declaration and thermo screening.
He also explained the concern of Hong Kong people in the wake of SARS
nightmare.
He said that many countries and territories in Southeast Asia might not have
the diagnostic facilities and stockpile of Tamiflu.
"Coupling with the high risk of H5 avian flu and dense population in the
Asian region, the scenario might be far more severe than that experienced in
the US, and the virus might be more prone to genetic reassortment," Dr Chow
said.
He also told the US Secretary that travel appeal should be issued and
visible signage be put up at US airports to forewarn travellers including
particularly overseas students who will be returning in droves to Hong Kong
in the coming months.
The US side said they have taken the problem seriously and had put in place
aggressive measures including a massive public education campaign and advice
for travellers not to travel when they are sick.
Ends/Monday, May 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:53
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