Press Release - March 31, 2003

The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) says he is encouraged by progress in the fight against atypical pneumonia.

Tung Chee Hwa said 79 patients have recovered and doctors expect 95% of those infected to make a full recovery. Most of those still in hospital are responding positively to treatment.

Mr Tung called on the public to work together to ensure personal and environmental hygiene, saying "community involvement and co-operation is the key to winning the battle against this disease".

He thanked the public for its co-operation so far and praised the efforts of healthcare workers.

The HKSAR Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said the number of cases from the Amoy Gardens and Prince of Wales Hospital outbreaks is stabilising.

Dr Yeoh urged people to seek treatment as soon as they feel any symptoms.

"If you have treatment early and do not have any underlying disease, 95% of patients are expected to recover if they are treated early. These figures are very encouraging," he said.

There are now 610 confirmed cases of atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong, with 64 of the 80 new infections coming from Amoy Gardens.

In Hong Kong, sixty-four patients are in intensive care and two more have died bringing the total number of deaths to 15.


For updated information and latest news on respiratory tract infections, please visit the special home page on the subject at www.info.gov.hk/info/infection-e.htm, and the HKSAR Department of Health website at www.info.gov.hk/dh/ap.htm as well as the e-bulletin at www.news.gov.hk/en/index.shtml.