Calls for calm amid latest Ebola outbreak in Africa

Medical professionals are reassuring people that Hong Kong does not need to be overly concerned about the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The outbreak in central Africa has claimed over 80 lives, with the World Health Organisation declaring it a public health emergency of international concern. However, family doctor Lam Wing-wo said the risk of an Ebola infection in Hong Kong remains low. “The Centre of Health Protection has informed all doctors to be vigilant against people [who might] get infected from travelling to these places,” he told RTHK. “And so it advised us to be cautious about people returning within 21 days from these areas about their symptoms of suspected Ebola infection, such as fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, general aching and rashes.” Lam stressed these symptoms are pretty nonspecific and shared with various kinds of respiratory virus infections, such as influenza, saying it’s vital to keep track of travel history to highlight high-risk individuals. He also noted that Ebola patients are not contagious during the incubation period, saying that makes the outbreak less of a concern. The SAR government on Sunday activated the “alert” response level – the lowest of a three-tier mechanism – to guard against imported cases. Kevin To, who chairs the University of Hong Kong's School of Clinical Medicine Department of Microbiology, said he believes that such a move is sufficient and appropriate at this stage. He urged people who recently travelled to the epidemic areas to stay vigilant. If they experience discomfort, they should seek immediate medical help and inform medical staff where they have visited, he added. Edited by Tony Sabine