The follow message is a summary of advice issued by the Department of Health
In view of recent situation of Severe Respiratory Disease, the Centre for Health Protection has set up a dedicated webpage (http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) to provide relevant and updated information and health advice.
Students or staff who had travelled to those affected areas in the past 14 days should observe their health condition closely. During the first 14 days of returning from those affected areas, they should monitor their body temperature. If feeling unwell, they should seek medical consultation promptly and inform the doctor of the travel history. They should wear surgical mask.
To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, students and staff are reminded to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
- Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretion after coughing or sneezing.
- Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative.
- Cover mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly.
- When having respiratory symptoms (eg. sneezing or coughing), wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.
- N95 respirators are generally not recommended for use by general public in community settings because if not worn or removed properly, the risk of contracting the disease would be increased.
- If you are not feeling well, consult a doctor and stay home.
If you are going to travel outside of Hong Kong:
- Avoid visiting hospitals. If it is necessary to visit a hospital, put on a surgical mask and observe strict personal and hand hygiene.
- Avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections.
- Avoid touching animals (including game), poultry / birds or their droppings.
- Avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms.
- Do not consume game meat (野味 )and do not patronize food premises where game meat is served.
- Adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or under-cooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled.
Wishing everyone to have a happy and healthy Chinese New Year.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Terry Ng
PS: The original message from the Department of Health is attached.
