Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong says it is still not known whether a mutated form of coronavirus has caused the respiratory illness outbreak in a Canadian elderly home.

On a duty visit to Macau, Dr Yeoh said if the virus is confirmed to have mutated, the Government has to make adjustments to Hong Kong's surveillance system. He said the Hospital Authority and Department of Health have been in close contact to discuss ways of enhancing it, and it is expected that additional surveillance measures can be concluded next week.

Dr Yeoh said people feeling unwell after returning from Canada should contact health authorities immediately.

In response to the findings of the Independent Commission of Inquiry Report on the SARS outbreak, which highlighted an incident at the Baptist Hospital, Dr Yeoh said the Government will strengthen communication with private hospitals.

Dr Yeoh said the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority are fully engaged in the SARS fight, and admitted that communication between the Government and private hospitals was insufficient.

The Government has been aware of the issue and will explore ways to boost communication with the hospitals, he said.