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The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (SC) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 28) convened a meeting to assess the risk and local response in light of the recent overseas human cases of novel coronavirus infection reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The SC has arrived at a consensus view that the discovery of a novel coronavirus associated with severe respiratory syndrome is significant. However, further investigations are required to fully understand the novel coronavirus and its public health implications.
At the meeting, members of the SC considered that the novel coronavirus, human betacoronavirus 2c, was genetically distinct from the SARS-coronavirus in 2003. Genetically, it is similar to certain bat coronaviruses identified previously by the University of Hong Kong. Nonetheless, they shared the view that the source and reservoir of the novel coronavirus required further investigation.
While members agreed there is so far no evidence of person-to-person transmission, much uncertainty remains regarding its epidemiology, including reservoir, mode and efficiency of transmission, clinical spectrum of illness and other aspects. In this regard, intensified international surveillance and laboratory testing are expected to generate more important findings to characterise the behavior of the novel coronavirus.
Turning to local response, the SC concurred with the view that surveillance for this infection is crucial. Local hospitals should take appropriate infection control precautions when admitting patients suspected to have novel coronavirus infection. Medical practitioners should report to the CHP according to the promulgated case definitions and reporting criteria stipulated by the WHO.
The SC also noted that in Hong Kong there are advanced laboratory facilities capable of testing this virus and the virus samples will be shared among the testing laboratories.
The SC will re-assess the situation as more information about novel coronavirus infection comes to light.
The SC recommends that travellers who fall sick within 10 days after visiting from affected countries should put on a mask and seek medical advice immediately, as well as report their travel history to the doctor concerned.
Ends/Friday, September 28, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:55
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