Health chief responds to virus fears

February 23, 2013

Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man has reassured the public the Government will be transparent, as fears are aroused over Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus.
 
Dr Ko told the media today whenever there is a suspected case, particularly patients with a travel history to the Middle East who need to perform a rapid test, the Government will release information to the public as soon as possible.
 
Yesterday, frontline staff were on heightened alert when a patient who had travelled to the Middle East was admitted to a public hospital with fever and symptoms of upper respiratory infection. He tested positive for influenza B, but negative for Novel Coronavirus.
 
Dr Ko said they are observing the patient and may repeat the test.
 
On rumours of new cases of the virus, he said there were at least two incidents where rumours were proven untrue. Such rumours will not affect the health care system, he added.
 
Dr Ko also said the Government will step up actions to curb parallel trading of formula, even as the Import & Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation 2013 is expected to commence on March 1.