CUHK CHPP :: Chairman Announcement-2004

During the present festive seasons of Christmas and New Year, many staff and students will take a break and will travel out of Hong Kong. I wish everyone will have a good time and keep yourself healthy whether you stay in Hong Kong or travel to other places especially bearing in mind the imminent major global outbreak of influenza.

This year, several Asian countries were affected by avian influenza and human cases were noted in Thailand and Vietnam as well. Precautions to prevent respiratory tract infection should be taken when traveling to these areas. You should avoid visiting farms or parks with wild birds. In addition, you should avoid touching any birds, poultry or their droppings and wash hands immediately if contact with birds or poultry.

In areas with cold climate, prepare enough warm clothing and avoid exhaustion to minimize the risk of getting upper respiratory tract infection or influenza.

You should also observe the guidelines in this website for personal hygiene which include personal hygiene with hand washing, care with food and drink, and consulting doctor when you are unwell.

You may seek advice from UHS or your own doctor regarding any infection occurring in the place you are visiting, in regard to precautionary measures and vaccination needs. Currently, UHS is organizing a vaccination service against influenza. Those who are of the older or younger age groups and those with chronic diseases are advised to consider receiving the influenza vaccine.

You should also observe the mosquito prevention measures especially in regard to the occurrence of Dengue Fever in a number of locations including Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia.

After the Trip, you should seek medical advice if you have fever, diarrhoea, cough or rash after the trip; and inform doctor your recent travel history.

The past few months appear fairly quiet for the University as far as disease outbreaks are concerned. However, our Task Force remains active and continues to monitor the development of Avian Flu and SARS. A number of actions have also been taken to ensure all health and hygiene measures are current and effective.

As we are now approaching the winter seasons and there is the threat of a major influenza outbreak early next year, and the occurrence of Avian Flu in our neighbouring places, we need to update all on campus of the current situation and alert all of the measures to be taken.

Please re-visit the set of useful guidelines contained in this web page (http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/sars_and_flu/prevention.htm) to refresh the measures that may protect you from falling victim of severe infectious diseases.

UHS has launched an Influenza Vaccination Programme. Its main target is those in the high risk group. These people are staff/students in the health care profession, the elderly individuals and people with chronic illnesses. Staff who handle birds, poultry and animals are also at high risk. However others who wish to be protected against Influenza can also book at UHS for the vaccination.

I wish to emphasize the need to maintain personal and food hygiene on traveling abroad especially in those places known to have cases of Avian Flu or have Influenza Outbreak. Avoid contact with live poultry, birds, animals and their droppings when visiting countries where avian influenza was detected. It has been reported not only chicken, ducks and wild birds, but also a number of tigers in a zoo in a regional country had died of suspected avian flu recently.

You should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching live poultry, birds, or animals. Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating. People who develop influenza-like illnesses are also urged to seek medical consultations promptly. They should also reveal their recent travel history to the attending doctors.

The University has established a standing committee to review actions to ensure hygienic conditions of the campus environment. Its current focus includes hostel infection control measures, canteen hygiene standards and mosquito control strategies.

Finally, you may have noticed that Task Force still maintains an "Alert Level" signifying that there are confirmed cases in neighbouring locations. I urge that all units concerned should vigorously observe the action as detailed in the Action Plan of this website (http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/sars_and_flu/alert_action/cur_alert_plan/cur_alert_plan.htm).

Fresh and additional posters will be put up on campus to remind all of the importance of hand washing and mask wearing.

The Department of Health (DH) today reminded travellers to avoid contact with live poultry, birds, animals and their droppings when visiting countries where avian influenza was detected.

The advice was made in view of a number of tigers in a zoo in a regional country had died of suspected avian flu recently.

For prevention of avian flu in Hong Kong, DH has arranged with airlines to broadcast on flights from places with avian influenza health messages advising passengers with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat to approach medical posts at the airport for assistance.

Health messages on avian flu have also been broadcast more frequently at the airport.

As a general guideline of good hygiene practices, you should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching live poultry, birds, or animals.

Staff and students who develop influenza-like illnesses are also urged to seek medical consultations promptly. They should also reveal their recent travel history to the attending doctors.

The Campus SARS/Flu Task Force would like to update you on the latest situation regarding human cases of avian influenza H5N1 in Thailand. On 28 September 2004, the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand has confirmed two new cases of H5N1 avian influenza in humans, which were associated with a family cluster which had contact with dead chickens. While investigation of this family cluster provided evidence that human-to-human transmission may have occurred, evidence to date indicated that transmission of the virus among humans has been limited to family members and that no wider transmission in the community has occurred.

Studies by the Department of Health, Hong Kong, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA found evidence of inefficient human-to-human transmission during the H5N1 outbreak in Hong Kong (1997). Human-to-human transmission of the virus was uncommon.

Since January this year, there were 15 confirmed avian influenza cases reported in Thailand, causing 10 deaths. The majority of them (9 cases) were located in central part of Thailand, while 3 cases were reported in northern part and 3 cases were reported in north-eastern part. There were also 27 confirmed cases reported in Vietnam, leading to 20 deaths. Most of the cases were located in northern (13 cases) and southern (13 cases) regions in Vietnam.

The initial clinical presentation of avian influenza A H5N1 may be indistinguishable from human influenza. However, about 60% of patients developed viral pneumonia, and some patients ran a rapid downhill course. If you suffer from signs of pneumonia or flu-like illness within 7 days returning from countries reporting recent cases of avian influenza (e.g. Thailand, Vietnam), please report to your doctor including history of exposure to poultry, as well as contact with persons suffering from influenza symptoms.

If you are going to areas where avian flu was detected, you should avoid direct contact with poultry and birds. If contacts have been made, you should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. Please also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent avian flu.

University Health Service (UHS) had conducted talks on Infection Control to the Hostel Management, workers and kitchen staff in August/September. A booklet on Infection Control and has also been distributed to all hostel management offices for easy reference. For details of the booklet, please visit http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/uhs/dochtml/guidelines_ppt.ppt .

In view of the expected arrival of the influenza season, a new round of Influenza Vaccination Campaign is being organized by UHS on Oct 14 and 15, 2004 for staff and students. The vaccination is available at the UHS at HK$60 per dose. Please visit http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/uhs/dochtml/influenza_poster.doc.

The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health notified on 13 August 2004 the occurrence of three fatal cases of Avian Flu human cases in Vietnam. These came after the reports that new outbreaks have been occurring in poultry populations in Vietnam since July this year. Avian influenza has been known to infect humans from infected poultry since 1997. Man-to-man transmission remains inefficient and rare.

The Task Force has stepped up its Alert Action Plan to the Alert Level and relevant Departments and Units are reminded to be vigilant and take appropriate precautionary measures.

UHS urges that patients attending the clinic, especially those who had recently travelled to areas where avian flu was detected, to complete a questionnaire for the information of your attending doctor.

The Task Force advises everybody should maintain good personal hygiene, wear masks when you have respiratory symptoms, consult doctors if you are unwell and maintain a clean environment by following the guidelines on this website.

Staff and students who are planning to travel to Vietnam are advised (a) to avoid direct contact with live poultry/birds; (b) to wash hands thoroughly after contact with live poultry/birds, and (c) to seek early medical attention by visiting the clinic if you have fever and Influenza like illness especially if you have recent travel history to Vietnam and have been exposed to poultry.

The Task Force with UHS will continue to monitor the development of the situation overseas and locally. We will update you of any later changes in the situation.

If you wish to know more about the nature of Avian Influenza, you may visit the following website of the Centre for Health Protection: http://www.chp.gov.hk/content.asp?lang=en&info_id=13&id=24&pid=9

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department recorded a sharp increase in Ovitrap index last month. The Ovitrap Index is a measure of the prevalence of the mosquito vector for Dengue Fever transmission. The index was 31.6% in May 2004, (the index in Tai Wai, Lek Yuen and Ma On Shan is between 32% to 61.8%, which are even higher than the average record in HK). Although there has been no local Dengue Fever case in the last 19 months, according to the record of the Ovitrap Index, Aedes Albopictus is now highly prevalent in Hong Kong.

The University has taken active control measures against mosquitoes. Members of the University are reminded to take preventive measures as well.

In order to be well-prepared for any possible re-emergence of SARS infection in the community, the Task Force had set up the Special Purpose Residence (SPR) in Block 4 of Postgraduate Halls on 1 August 2003. The purpose was to provide an alternative accommodation for hostel resident students from overseas or from the Mainland who are unable to stay home/hostel for SARS related problems.

The operation of the SPR was recently reviewed by the Task Force. In view of the present situation where the threat of SARS is under control, health screening measures such as health declaration and body temperature checks for travelers are in place at all immigration control points, and a majority of hostel resident students will return home during the summer vacation, it is recommended that the operation of SPR will end after 12 June 2004. Meanwhile, the Task Force will work on possible longer-term plan on provision of observation facilities.

Although the SARS situation is now under control, the Task Force encourages all staff and students to remain vigilant, keep up the good practice of personal and environmental hygiene, such as frequent hand washing, and watch out for the health promotion activities in the University. Please refer to the recommendations as contained in the “General Preparedness and Vigilance Level” of our Campus (SARS/Flu) Alert and Action Plan.

As there have been no new cases of SARS in China since May 4, Hong Kong is going to stand down SARS Alert Level effective today. A total of 9 patients were infected during the latest outbreak in Beijing and Anhui since April 22. Except for one patient in Anhui province who had deceased, all the other 8 patients had been recovered and discharged from hospital. The close contacts in these two places had all been released from medical surveillance. In its announcement on May 18, the World Health Organisation considered that the chain of human-to-human transmission appeared to have been broken.

After making careful assessment of the threat of SARS in Hong Kong and neighbouring areas, the government announced in its press release of May 25 that the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority decided that they would stand down their SARS Alert Level and Yellow Alert respectively on May 28.

In line with the government’s decision, the Campus (SARS/Flu) Task Force has decided to lower the alert stage to the “General Preparedness and Vigilance Level” on its Alert and Action Plan. At this Level, we urge all university staff and students to continue their vigilance and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene practices, including:

· Wear a surgical mask when suffering from respiratory tract infection such as coughing or sneezing.

The Task Force will continue to monitor the SARS development closely. Please keep updated at our website.

From the most updated information from the Ministry of Health, P.R. of China, apart from the initial nine people confirmed to have contracted SARS in Beijing and Anhui in the latest outbreak, no new suspected cases were reported since. Ms. Li, the first confirmed SARS patient in Beijing last month, was discharged from Ditan Hospital on 5 May. All of the people put in quarantine in Anhui had been released from medical observation with another 693 people removed from quarantine list in Beijing.

Although the situation seems to be under favourable control, the Task Force would like to remind staff and students that Hong Kong and Hospital Authority are still on the alert level. Our campus also remains on Alert Level of the Campus (SARS/Flu) Alert and Action Plan. In an effort to promote the message of enhancing personal hygiene, the Task Force has produced a new poster showing the correct way of washing hands. Six easy to follow steps are highlighted on the poster “Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently”. Frequent and proper hand washing is one of the effective means to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. It can effectively remove more than 90 percent of infectious bacteria and germs living on your hands. This poster will be posted in the campus alongside with another one “Maintain good personal hygiene, stay healthy”.

Since 22 April 2004, there had been a total of 6 confirmed cases and 3 suspected cases of SARS in China. At its meeting held on 26 April, the Task Force had reviewed the measures to be taken by relevant units under the current Alert Level of the CUHK Campus (SARS/Flu) Alert and Action Plan. The University Health Service will continue to operate a fever clinic. All patients attending UHS are requested to voluntarily fill in a simple SARS/Flu Questionnaire for the information of the attending doctors. Those with fever and/or respiratory symptoms are requested to wear a mask. Canteen operators on campus are reminded to strictly follow a high standard of food hygiene and environmental hygiene, and to observe the University’s mask policy. The Business Office is maintaining a minimum stock of 50,000 masks for purchase by staff and students.

The University Safety and Environment Office has issued a circular to remind all researchers and laboratory personnel the importance of following bio-safety practices in the course of their work. The bio-safety guidelines can be found on the USEO website (www.cuhk.edu.hk/useo/safety/index.htm) under sections Lab Safety and Risk Assessment. For enquiries on laboratory safety procedures or guidelines, please call USEO at 2609-7958.

There are confirmed SARS now occurring in China (Anhui: 1 confirmed and 1 suspected case, Beijing: 1 confirmed and 1 suspected case). The HKSAR Government has activated the SARS Alert Level at 7 pm on 23 April 2004. At the same time, Hospital Authority has activated the Yellow Alert. (Please refer to the press release of the Department of Health on 23 April 2004.)

The CUHK Campus (SARS/Flu) Task Force has accordingly also activated its Alert System with immediate effects to the "Alert Level". Please refer to (http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/sars_and_flu/alert_action/cur_alert_plan/cur_alert_plan.htm) for details. All Departments and Units are required to follow the appropriate level of action plan. Individual staff and students are also expected to continue with your personal and environmental measure for the protection of yourself and others around you.

Infection control measures at UHS continue in full force, with particular action for surveillance especially for those returning from places in China where confirmed cases are identified.

As the final examination has already started, the Task Force would like to urge candidates to take note of the following:

- Candidates who are not feeling well should seek medical assistance at UHS immediately.

- Candidates who have respiratory tract symptoms should wear a mask when attending the examination.

- Candidates with severe coughing or sneezing may be asked to take an isolated seat in the examination hall or seek medical advice.

For prevention of SARS and respiratory tract infection, please adopt the following measures:

- Build up good body immunity by having a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;

- Maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;

- Put on a mask if suffering from respiratory tract infection to reduce the chance of spreading the infection to people around them; and

- Put on a mask if taking care of a patient with respiratory symptoms and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.

Please also take a look of the Prevention Guidelines posted on our website. The Task Force will monitor the development closely and will keep you informed with updated information regularly at our website.

China reported two suspected SARS cases yesterday, one in Beijing and one in Anhui. The patient in Beijing is a 20-year-old nurse, who reported symptoms of fever, cough and shivering on 5 April. She is now hospitalized in isolation in Ditan Hospital. Five people who had close contact with her developed fever and have been quarantined. Details of the suspected case in Anhui are not yet available. Experts of the Ministry of Health have begun investigation of the two cases, and Hong Kong’s Department of Health will maintain close contact with the Mainland health authorities. (Please refer to the press release of the Department of Health on 22 April 2004.)

The current General Preparedness and Vigilance Level of the CUHK Campus (SARS/Flu) Alert and Action Plan is being maintained. Due vigilance in infection control measures have been taken up by the University Health Service. Please take note of the advice given in the Prevention Guidelines for Travelling when planning a trip away from Hong Kong. The Task Force will keep track of the development and inform you with updated information.

For prevention of SARS and respiratory tract infection, please adopt the following measures:

- Build up good body immunity by having a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;

- Maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;

- Put on a mask if suffering from respiratory tract infection to reduce the chance of spreading the infection to people around them; and

- Put on a mask if taking care of a patient with respiratory symptoms and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.

As there is no confirmed case of SARS for more than two months and the avian influenza has also receded in neighbouring areas, the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority have announced on 1 April that their respective Alert Level of SARS Response System and Yellow Alert are going to stand down on 6 April.

In view of this, the Campus (SARS/Flu) Task Force has decided to lower the alert stage to the “General Preparedness and Vigilance Level” on its Alert and Action Plan. At this Level, all university staff and students are advised to maintain their vigilance against the resurgence of SARS and observe good personal and environmental hygiene practices, including:

· Wear a surgical mask when suffering from respiratory tract infection such as coughing or sneezing.

Please take a look of the Campus (SARS/Flu) Alert and Action Plan for the preventive and infection control measures that are being adopted by the Task Force, University Health Service, Colleges & Hostels, and various units concerned.

The Task Force will continue to monitor the SARS development closely. Please keep updated at our website.

On 25 March, the medical delegation from the Department of Health met with the Guangdong counterparts to exchange views on the control, surveillance and treatment of SARS, influenza and AIDS. The meeting reviewed the four SARS cases reported in Guanzhou since last December. The cases had onset of symptoms between 16 December 2003 and 7 January 2004. The last case was discharged in late January 2004. There was no secondary spread. Culling and banning of palm civet sales were enforced in January 2004. The Health Department of Guangdong Province has wound down the SARS contingency measures since 19 March 2004.

The Department of Health has announced on 1 April that the Alert Level of SARS response system in Hong Kong will most likely stand down from 6 April 2004. The Campus SARS/Flu Task Force will also follow the Government’s decision to step down from the Alert Level to the General Preparedness & Vigilance Level in our campus. The Task Force will remain prepared and stay vigilant for the possible reoccurrence of the infectious diseases by monitoring communicable disease surveillance and upkeeping the infection control protocols in various departments concerned.

Effective measures of infection control will remain in the University Health Service such as operating the Fever Clinic; all health workers would wear surgical masks; patients with respiratory symptoms are required to put on masks; frequent disinfecting the clinic area and other infection control measures. The clinic staff is reminded to stay alert for rapid detection and isolation of patients with communicable diseases as an enforcement of effective infection control.

Members of the University will be kept posted of any revised arrangements when situation changes. Please make use of the SARS/Flu Task Force website to keep you posted of any new developments.

Please note the following information from the Surveillance System of the Department of Health, Hong Kong:

“Influenza activity remains at a high level during the week 22 to 28 February 2004. Consultation rates for influenza-like-illness among General Out-patient Clinics and General Practitioners in Hong Kong have slightly increased compared with the previous week. There were 4 confirmed influenza outbreaks affecting 50 persons in the corresponding week. The Government Virus Unit had 118 influenza detection. Hong Kong is currently at the peak season for influenza and influenza activity is expected to remain at a high level in the next few weeks. Globally, influenza activity has already subsided in most parts of the Europe and the USA.”

Please observe good personal and environment hygiene practice. For details, you may refer to the guidelines in this website. In particular, the wearing of surgical masks and consult a doctor when you run a fever and respiratory symptoms, and frequent and proper washing of hands are the basic measures to observe.

A round of briefing sessions on the nature of Influenza/Avian Flu and Respiratory Tract Infections and the preventive measures on campus has been undertaken by the Campus (SARS/Flu) Task Force and UHS for general staff and students, exchange and postgraduate students, student Health Ambassadors, and staff from EMO, hostels and canteens. The objectives were to generate awareness of the outbreaks in places around Hong Kong. The call for vigilance and preparedness was emphasized.

That Hong Kong currently is still free from SARS, Influenza outbreaks or a case of Avian Flu is not a cause for complacency. In the main it is the outcome of the concerted efforts of all citizens, health care providers, and public health experts. There remain a number of threats which could compromise such efforts, and the university community should maintain their alertness.

The Task Force and UHS wish that all university staff and students are fully aware of the current situation, the need to upkeep personal and environmental hygiene practice, and have your share in cooperating with the university in carrying out the preventive strategies.

You are also advised of the recent information from the Department of Health for the week 8-14 February 2004 that there were 12 confirmed influenza outbreaks in schools affecting more than 150 persons in the corresponding week. The Department warned that the influenza season in Hong Kong has likely arrived and a high activity of influenza is expected in the coming weeks. Influenza vaccination is an appropriate preventive action especially for the high-risk groups. Vaccination service is available at UHS for staff, dependants and students. Please also visit website http://www.info.gov.hk/info/flu/eng/global.htm for the current global situation on Avian Flu.

Despite that some country are currently experiencing outbreaks of Avian Flu (H5N1) infection in poultry flocks, and that some have also reported cases in humans, WHO does not at present recommend any restrictions on travel to any country.

International travellers to areas experiencing outbreaks of Avian Flu infection should avoid contact with live animal markets and poultry farms. Large amounts of the virus are known to be excreted in the droppings from infected birds. Please also refer to the set of guidelines on this webpage.

To date, outbreaks in poultry caused by the H5N1 strain have been confirmed in the following countries:

There is no vaccine for Avian Flu in human. Influenza vaccination will not protect humans from infection with avian H5N1, but it minimizes the risk of co-infection and genetic reassortment of human and avian influenza viruses in humans. For more details, please refer to the Special Information on Flu and Avian Flu on this website.

The University Health Service provides influenza vaccination service at cost of $60 at the clinic to University staff, dependants and students. Please visit the UHS webite.

The Task Force held a meeting on 9 February and would like to report the following:

1. Since December last year, four cases of SARS were reported in Guangdong. All patients had been recovered and discharged from hospital. The source of infection of these cases is still being investigated.

2. In the light of the current outbreak of avian flu in many Asian countries, the Task Force is keeping a close watch on the development of bird flu, as well as SARS in neighbouring regions and locally in Hong Kong. Avian flu is transmitted from infected birds to people. Currently there is no vaccine for preventing avian flu in people. University Health Service (UHS) has prepared an overview on influenza and avian flu. Please take a look.

3. To reflect the expanded scope of responsibility, the name of the Task Force will be changed to “CUHK Campus (SARS/Flu) Task Force”. The following measures are being taken to prevent an outbreak of influenza and avian flu on campus:

· The ducks which inhabited the Weiyuan Lake (未圓湖) at Chung Chi College are now being confined to a designated area of the pond to keep them away from people. Signage has been posted near the lake to urge people not to feed the ducks and birds. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has been contacted to provide vaccine to inoculate the ducks.

· The Laboratory Animal Services Centre is monitoring closely the health condition of its poultry and other animals. They will keep the Task Force informed of any change of the health status of the animals.

· EMO cleaning staff is taking extra precautions in handling and cleaning bird droppings on campus area. They have received influenza vaccination, and will wear gloves and masks for personal protection. In case birds are found dead on campus, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will be notified to collect the carcass.

· The canteen inspection teams are conducting weekly inspection to all canteens on campus to ensure the strict compliance with food and environmental hygiene. Cleaning of high usage toilets in campus has been stepped up to 2 times daily.

· The operation of the Special Purpose Residence has been extended till end of May 2004. This facility is to provide an alternative accommodation for hostel-resident students who are ill and are recommended by UHS physicians to temporarily stay away from other people as an infection control measure. If they experience difficulty returning home, UHS physicians will advise them to move to the Special Purpose Residence for observation.

· A video clip on demonstration of proper hand washing produced by the Department of Health is added to the Tips on Hand Washing. When done correctly, hand washing is one of the effective ways to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

As fear of H5N1 spreads across Asia, the Campus SARS Task Force also monitors the current and local situation of the epidemic. An open forum invites a specialist from the Department of Microbiology to address the issue and try to separate rumour from reality. A chance for you to ask your queries and will be explained by the experts.

The Government has stepped up the action on prevention of bird flu today by suspending the import of live birds and poultry meat from the Mainland last night. Farms in Hong Kong have also been temporarily banned from delivering chickens to the market. The Task Force has also stepped up its action in the campus.

- The canteen inspection teams have increased the frequency of inspection from bi-weekly to weekly.

- Mask policy, food, personal and environmental hygiene of the canteens are strictly enforced.

- The Laboratory Animal Services Centre has taken close monitoring action on its poultry and other animals and will keep in close touch with the Task Force.

- Research personnel are advised to wash hands thoroughly after working on animals, not just avians.

- Estates Management Office will strengthen the cleaning of bird droppings within campus and apply diluted disinfectant (1:49) to cleanse such areas. Masks and gloves will be worn by staff when handling bird droppings.

- Signs will be posted at Weiyuan Lake (未圓湖) at Chung Chi College and other areas known to have populations of birds to warn against bird-feeding or getting too close to avian nests.

- The University Health Service has enough stock of Influenza Vaccine for staff and students at cost price. Please ring up Mrs. Kan at Ext 6436 for arrangement of vaccination.

- The University Health Service is keeping track on any related diseases and will follow up all suspicious cases.

WHO has issued warnings about the rapid spread of Avian Flu virus to no less than 9 Asian countries. Culling of affected poultry in farms, vaccination to live chicken, meticulous environmental hygiene, and early communication between countries of the epidemic situation are some of the key strategies hopefully to contain the situation. However, health authorities are worried that human to human transmission of the virus could happen. An Avian Flu pandemic may consequently occur with high morbidity and mortality. The Government of Hong Kong is currently maintaining high vigilance on the situation, though there is still no case of Avian Flu found locally. Avian Flu is being included as a mandatory notifiable disease, so the Government could be alert of any signs of its occurrence in Hong Kong community.

The measures in regard to personal and environmental hygiene we are advocating for SARS infection are all applicable to the prevention of Influenza and Avian Flu. These include the use of masks and hand washing. We wish everyone would follow the advice

In addition, when you go to markets or to farms in Hong Kong, or to travel to countries where it is known that there are outbreaks, you should pay particular attention to keep yourself away from any possible source of infection, e.g. people with flu illnesses, or poultry farms, or parks frequented by migratory birds. The unhygienic habit of examining chickens when you are trying to buy them live from the market should be stopped. Report to a doctor if you are sick especially with fever and respiratory symptoms. Wash hands immediately after handling chicken, ducks, etc. or pet birds you may be keeping at home and touch their droppings. Insist on eating well cooked food, especially chicken.

No amount of precautionary measures should be considered as excessive in view of the impending major outbreak and the likelihood of the infection affecting Hong Kong.

Personal protection and maintenance of body resistance are the mainstay of prevention as there is no specific treatment and no vaccine available for Avian Flu.

There is a slow but steady increase in the number of influenza like respiratory illness in the community. We urge you to continue to be vigilant and observe hygiene measures against influenza and SARS infection. Up till now, there have been 3 confirmed SARS cases in Guangdong Province. Two of them have recovered and one is in stable condition in hospital.

Many of you may be planning to travel abroad or hold social functions during the Chinese New Year holidays. To safeguard your health and the health of others, please pay attention to the following precautionary measures before, during and after the trip:

· If you feel unwell, have a fever or have been in close contact with suspected or confirmed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) patients during the last 10 days, consider postponing your travel.

· Cooperate with the health authorities and comply with all immigration procedures and health checks.

· If you feel unwell, especially with a fever, inform hotel staff and your tour leader. Arrange medical treatment at once.

· If you have symptoms of an infection within 14 days after the trip, consult the doctor and provide details of your recent travel.

· To prevent contracting respiratory tract infections, observe good personal and environmental hygiene whenever/wherever you are.

· Keep hands clean, wash hands frequently with liquid soap, especially before eating and touching nose, mouth and eyes.

· Put soiled tissues into a rubbish bin with lid and then wash hands thoroughly.

· Avoid contact with live poultry or birds especially in children. Wash hands immediately after handling them.

· If hand washing facilities are not available, wash hands with a disinfectant containing 65%-95% alcohol.

When attending a social function, you should also protect yourself against infectious diseases including SARS:

- If you don't feel well, especially when you have a fever and/or respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, do not attend the function. Consult a doctor promptly.

- Always keep your hands clean. Wash hands after touching public objects or facilities.

- Maintain good personal hygiene. Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash your hands immediately afterwards to avoid spreading germs via respiratory droplets.

- Wash hands before touching your eyes, mouth or nose, before meals and after going to the toilet.

- Wash hands with liquid soap, and then dry with a disposable towel or a hand drier.

- If hand washing facilities are not available, rub hands with a 65-95% alcohol solution to disinfect hands.

- Do not spit or litter. Use a tissue to hold your spit and discard it into a bin with a lid. Always put rubbish in a bin. Spitting or littering in public is an offence and the offender is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500.

- Take a shower or bath and wash hair when you return home to remove any dirt and germs that you might have come across.

The Guangdong Health Department has notified Hong Kong 2 days ago about a new suspect SARS case in Guangzhou. The patient is a 35 year old self-employed man. He felt unwell and had fever since 31 December. He was admitted to hospital for treatment in Guangzhou on 6 January 2004.

Besides a confirmed case in Panyu, Guangzhou reported on 5 January 2004, there have been a total of 2 suspect SARS cases reported from Guangzhou.

The large volume of population flow between Guangdong and Hong Kong continues to put Hong Kong at risk of the re-introduction of SARS infection. The SARS Task Force strongly advises all staff and students to be proactive in adopting all preventive measures. Frequent hand washing and wearing of masks especially when you are sick should be practised vigourously. Seek medical advice if you have fever and respiratory symptoms, and especially if you have traveled to Guangdong in the past 10 days. Keep the environment and your living areas disinfected and cleansed appropriately. The University is currently at “SARS Alert Level”. Please refer to this web site for details of the preventive and control measures adopted throughout the university.

· In the wake of the laboratory confirmed SARS case in Guangdong, the Task Force is on high alert to the SARS development. The measures contained on the Alert Level of the CUHK Campus (SARS) Alert and Action Plan are being followed by the respective offices.

· A briefing session will be organized for all College & Faculty SARS Working Group Coordinators and Safety Coordinators to provide update information on SARS and measures being undertaken by the University. Details are:

· A talk on “Prevention of SARS in several perspectives” will be conducted for all workmen. Details are:

· Hostel students have to fill in the SARS questionnaire before they check in the hostels after the holidays. UHS will follow up with those students who reported symptoms of fever or respiratory tract infection. Patients attending the clinic are required to have their temperature checked and to fill in a form declaring their recent travel history and any respiratory symptoms. Those with fever and/or respiratory symptoms are requested to wear a mask. The Fever Clinic of UHS is in operation where its staff is provided with full Personal Protective Equipment. Since the operation of the Special Purpose Residence, 3 students with fever have been admitted and they have all been discharged.

· Proper hand washing is an effective hygiene practice to avoid contracting and spreading communicable diseases. Staff and students are reminded to follow the tips on hand washing. More promotion of the message of correct hand washing methods will be done through the SARS website, poster and workshops.

· Canteen operators on campus are reminded to strictly follow a high standard of food hygiene and environmental hygiene, and to observe the University’s mask policy. Bi-weekly canteen inspection is carried out to keep track of compliance by UHS and Business Office.

· The frequency of cleaning toilets will be stepped up from once to twice daily in high usage buildings. Proper cleaning steps can be found in Keeping the toilet hygienic.

Experts have confirmed yesterday that the patient in Panyu, Guangzhou has actually suffered from SARS. The source of infection is probably from the community. The WHO considers that Travel Alert for Guangzhou is not necessary at this present stage.

In view of this development, everyone in the University should step up our preparedness and vigilance against the occurrence of SARS infection in our local community. The Alert Level of CUHK’s SARS Alert and Action Plan is still effective. All Departments and Unit will have to carry out their respective duties accordingly.

All staff and students are earnestly reminded to comply with the recommendations of wearing masks when you have respiratory symptoms and fever, frequent hand washing and seeking medical attention when you are sick.

Management of hostels, living and work areas, canteens and all other public areas such as Libraries, classrooms, toilets etc. should maintain the environment clean and disinfected regularly in accordance with the guidelines on this webpage.

Staff sick leave certifications should be copied and faxed to Mrs. Kan of UHS for identification of clustering of fever/respiratory infection patients.

UHS has also stepped up its vigilance and infection control measures. All patients attending the clinic will be screened for fever and requested to fill in a questionnaire to inform UHS staff of their recent travel history and any respiratory symptoms. All patients and accompanying persons will be asked to wear masks if they have respiratory symptoms and/or fever. UHS will continue to operate its Fever Clinic where its staff will be geared with full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).