Chairman’s Announcements (September 10)

The discovery of a new SARS case involving a laboratory technician in Singapore has heightened concern over the return of the deadly disease.  At the moment, there is no evidence of community transmission in this case.  Hong Kong Government has stepped up the health screening measures at the Airport including temperature checks, health declaration and distributing health alert cards to travelers coming from and leaving for Singapore.

The Task Force would like to urge all staff and students to remain calm, but at the same time to maintain our vigilance.   The following precautionary measures are being implemented on campus:

(a)        All newly-arrived hostel residents are required to fill in a SARS questionnaire.  Please refer to Guidelines for All Students.

(b)       A fever clinic is in operation at University Health Service.

(c)        A special purpose residence has been set up to admit hostel student residents who are required to put under observation by UHS doctors.

(d)       SARS prevention guidelines are posted on our website.

(e)        Colleges, Faculties, Graduate School and Postgraduate Halls have set up their SARS Working Groups to disseminate SARS-related information.

(f)         Posters will be put up on campus to convey the message of maintaining good personal hygiene.

Remember, we must continue to adopt good hygiene practices, in particular:

(a)        Frequent and thorough hand washing preferably with liquid soap - especially before you eat or when you rub your eyes or nose;

(b)       Wear a proper surgical mask when you have signs and symptoms of common cold or coughing; and

(c)        Consult a doctor when you are sick - especially when you run a fever.

Please refer to Important Notices – New Academic Year.

Chairman’s Announcements (September 4)

WHO, in its circular of Influenza vaccination for the 2003-04 season: recommendations in the context of concern about SARS dated 2 September 2003, has cautioned about the recurrence of SARS during the influenza season.  Both influenza and SARS have similar symptoms including fever and coughs.  As influenza is a highly infectious viral disease, an outbreak of influenza, particularly in hospitals, can easily give rise to SARS scare.  To reduce the burden on health care systems, WHO urged that people in high risk groups such as the elderly and patients with chronic illness who can easily develop serious complications from flu, and health care workers must receive influenza vaccination.  Influenza vaccination will not provide protection against SARS, but it can effectively reduce cases of respiratory disease.  Because influenza viruses change frequently and protection from the vaccine decreases with time, it is recommended that people should repeat the vaccination every year.  Our University Health Service will organize an ‘Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Campaign’ for staff and students on September 18 and 19.  Please refer to http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/uhs/dochtml/infcampposter.jpg for more information of the Campaign.  More health news and information is available at the UHS website.