Experience exchange: Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong shares with international experts Hong Kong's experiences in the SARS fight.

Hong Kong adopted a four-pronged approach to combating SARS, including early detection, swift contact tracing, early isolation and quarantine, and effective containment.

Some $1.7 billion has also been allocated since the outbreak to strengthen healthcare and medical research.

Addressing over 1,000 scientists and clinicians at the WHO's Global Conference on SARS in Kuala Lumpur today, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said the enhanced computer surveillance system has expedited contact tracing of suspected and confirmed cases.

The multi-disciplinary response team comprising various government departments has also facilitated prompt investigations and remedial actions.

Noting that elderly people with long-term illness had a higher incidence of death and that some of them did not have a fever, Dr Yeoh said all elderly discharged patients had to be isolated for 10 more days to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

He assured that Hong Kong will maintain high vigilance and keep up public awareness of personal and environmental hygiene.

There is a further need to apply lessons learnt to better prepare for future outbreaks, he said, adding that strong international collaborative partnership and cross-boundary co-operation are required for effective control of infectious diseases.

Dr Yeoh also presented at the conference an overview of SARS clinical behaviour, and the significance of environmental factors in the Amoy Gardens outbreak.

The two-day global conference aims to gather expert views about the effectiveness of the response to date and the likely evolution of SARS in both the near future and longer term.