Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Yeoh Eng-kiong on Tuesday shared Hong Kong's experience in tackling SARS at a global conference on the disease in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, according to a government press release.

Addressing the plenary session of the World Health Organization's Global Conference on SARS, Yeoh gave an overview of what was currently known about the clinical behavior of SARS by local clinicians and medical experts.

He explained in particular the significance of environmental sources of infection as experienced during the outbreak at Amoy Gardens, which had witnessed the contraction of SARS of some 300 patients.

Yeoh then went into details to explain Hong Kong's strategy in controlling the epidemic. He shared with participants the four strategies that were taken in terms of early detection, swift contact tracing, early isolation and quarantine, and effective containment.

In particular, he noted the enhanced computer surveillance system -- Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System(MIIDSS) -- which had helped swift contact tracing of suspected and confirmed cases, and the setting up of a multi-disciplinary response team comprising various government departments in carrying out prompt investigation and remedial actions.

Noting elderly persons with long-term illness had a higher incidence of death associated with SARS and that some of them did not present the symptom of fever, Yeoh pointed out all elderly discharged patients had to be isolated for 10 more days in order to reduce the risk of spread.

Apart from this strict discharge policy, the government had also issued written guidelines on infection control for elderly homes. Appropriate training had also been provided to carers and inspections had been stepped up to ensure compliance with the guidelines and precautionary measures, he added.

Noting the allocation of some 1.7 billion HK dollars (US$218 million) since the outbreak for strengthening public health work and medical research, Yeoh said the government was committed to protecting Hong Kong's public health.

Yeoh said effective control of infectious diseases such as SARS required strong international collaborative partnership and cross-border co-operation.

The two-day global conference on June 17-18 is being held by WHO to gather expert views about the effectiveness of the response to date and the likely evolution of SARS in both the near future and longer term.

It is being attended by more than 1,000 scientists and clinicians, including specialists who have been at the frontline of SARS investigation and response since the outbreak began.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2003)