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Source:
Amcham China and Hong Kong (April 8, 2003)
Precautionary
measures taken by some American companies include:
1. Educating
and updating employees and clients regarding SARS prevention,
detection and infection measures. Requesting employees to inform
the company if they get sick, to seek prompt medical care, and
not to report for work until a diagnosis is made.
2. Increasing
attention paid to office ventilation and cleaning, such as regular
office sterilisation. Encouraging employees to improve personal
hygiene.
3. Distributing
SARS prevention tools to employees, including masks, gloves,
Vitamin C, soap, alcoholic tissue, etc.
4. Restricting
or banning travel to and from regions identified with SARS.
Requesting employees to keep away from crowded locations and
to avoid using public transportation. Some companies have canceled
or postponed conferences that required traveling
AmCham-Hong
Kong representatives just attended an International Business
Committee meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary. He advised
that resolution of this problem is HKG's number one priority.
Dr. Margaret Chan gave an excellent presentation on SARS. She
reviewed the chronology of events, statistics, symptoms, linkages
with other areas, measures taken by the Department of Health
and World Health Organization, prevention and treatment.
Some of
the key points:
- low
case fatality - of 734 total cases in HK there have been 17
deaths or 2.3% of the total, as compared to a usual rate of
10 to 15% or this type of problem
- of
the 17 SARS related deaths in Hong Kong, 65% were over age
65 and 82% were already suffering from chronic illness
- of
the 17 deaths only 3 had no medical complications, however,
these were patients who delayed coming in for treatment
- early
treatment is imperative - if unattended 8 days the problem
can take a sharp turn for the worse
- the
majority of cases were hospital workers, families and patients
with close contacts, however, sporadic cases represent about
20% of the total
- the
treatment that has been developed is effective
- the
epidemic curve suggests that SARS cases in HK are coming down
and are under control
- HKG
has been completely transparent and is working closely with
the WHO
- casual
contact with people, such as at fairs or luncheons, is not
a risk
Facts
- outbreak
was caused by a new virus
- close
contact with a victim is required for transmission
- no
evidence at this time of airborne transmission
- incubation
is 2 to 7 days, up to 10 days
- health
workers and family members are at higher risk
Prevention:
- if
you do not feel well or have a cold wear a surgical mask!
- do
not shake hands, touch your face, rub your eyes or give a
"hugging" kiss
- do
not keep the office or home too cold - at higher temperature
the virus is less active (warm weather will kill the virus)
- wash
your hands frequently
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