HK steps up precautions over Ebola outbreak

The Hong Kong government on Sunday activated the “alert” response level – the lowest of a three-tier mechanism – in light of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The move came as the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an international health emergency over the outbreak that has killed more than 80 people and for which there is no vaccine. A total of 88 deaths and 336 suspected cases of the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever have so far been reported, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said in an update on Saturday. The outbreak was caused by the Bundibugyo virus disease, a strain of the Ebola virus genus. There have been no confirmed cases in Hong Kong and officials said the immediate health impact on the local population is low. Still, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) says it's implementing a series of measures to guard against imported cases. The CHP will strengthen health screening for passengers arriving on flights from Africa at the airport, including conducting temperature checks at flight gates and health screenings for passengers exhibiting symptoms. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for isolation and treatment until specimens test negative for the virus. The CHP will also strengthen public awareness and health education efforts regarding Ebola at all boundary control points, among other measures. Officials said they will continue to closely monitor the latest developments overseas and the latest recommendations from the WHO. (Additional reporting by AFP) Edited by Edmond Fong