The Department of Health is liaising with the World Health Organisation on avian flu cases in Indonesia.

The department's Chief Port Health Officer Dr Henry Kong said it is closely monitoring the spread of avian flu in the region following the outbreaks in Thailand and Vietnam last year.

Dr Kong said preventive measures are in place, including broadcasting health messages aboard in-bound flights from Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia. Health information leaflets are also being distributed to passengers leaving for these countries.

Travellers should avoid direct contact with chickens and avoid farms. If contact has been made, they should wash hands thoroughly with soap.

Caution urged

Travellers should watch for flu symptoms like fever, sore throat and coughing after returning to Hong Kong.

"If symptoms develop, they should seek medical attention promptly and provide their travel history to the doctor," Dr Kong said, calling on travellers to take preventive measures against infectious disease.

The appeal was made after Dengue fever outbreaks in Southeast Asian countries and polio cases in West and Central Java and Sumatra.

The best way to prevent Dengue fever is to avoid mosquito bites by wearing long clothes and using insect repellent.

Dr Kong said while high vaccination coverage rates against polio in Hong Kong will effectively protect the city, public vigilance is still essential.

Travellers should observe personal hygiene, especially keeping hands clean. For infants travelling to Indonesia, the primary series of polio vaccines should be completed before departure. For adult travellers who have previously been immunised, 10-yearly boosters are desirable.

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