Reminder: Department of Health staff distribute information leaflets at the Hong Kong International Airport to travellers leaving for Sichuan Province and arriving in Hong Kong from Sichuan.

The Government will adopt precautionary measures to guard against the Streptococcus suis infection and reduce the risk of an outbreak in Hong Kong.

The interdepartmental task force chaired by the Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow met today to review the latest developments regarding the Streptococcus suis outbreak in Sichuan Province and map out strategies and control measures to deal with the evolving situation.

The task force expected the number of reported cases to rise in the next few days in light of the recent heightened awareness over Streptococcus suis infection.

The task force will adjust its strategies, as well as inspection and quarantine measures, in response to the latest developments to protect public health in Hong Kong.

The Ministry of Health has today updated the Centre for Health Protection about the latest situation.

According to the ministry, as of noon today, a total of 174 people were affected, including 19 who were laboratory-confirmed cases. Among the patients, 34 had died and 12 were discharged.

Efforts to be stepped up on all fronts

New precautionary measures to be taken in Hong Kong include the following:

* The Government will strengthen inspection and quarantine work at the points of entry for imported live pigs and pork from various provinces of the Mainland.

* It will start to distribute information leaflets at the Hong Kong International Airport with effect from today to travellers leaving for Sichuan Province and arriving in Hong Kong from Sichuan to remind them to keep good personal hygiene and not to have contact with pigs while staying in Sichuan.

* The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will reinforce inspection work at Animal Carcasses Collection Points, arrange prompt removal of pig carcasses and step up enforcement against the illegal disposal or dumping of pig carcasses.

* TV and Radio Announcements in the Public Interest are being produced to remind members of the public to take precautionary measures when handling raw pork.

* The public can make use of Department of Health's 24-hour Health Information System hotline, 2833 0111, which provides useful health advice concerning the prevention of Streptococcus suis.

*The FEHD has uploaded "Safety Tips on Handling Pork" on the department's website as a general precautionary measure against infection.

* The public are reminded not to buy pork of unknown source. It is an offence to bring raw pork meat into Hong Kong without a valid permit.

* The Customs & Excise Department will step up enforcement action against illegal importation of pork.

* The three-member Hong Kong medical team will remain on the Mainland to learn more about the epidemic situation.

* The Centre for Health Protection has notified the Hospital Authority and all doctors about the situation in Sichuan Province and reminds them to stay vigilant and report to the centre any suspected cases.

* Information leaflets on Stretococcus suis have also been provided to raise doctors' concern and increase their understanding of the condition.

* The Government will widely publicise the information on Streptococcus suis and upload relevant information on the centre's website so as to inform the public about the background and clinical features of the disease as well as its prevention and management.

* The public can also visit the Hong Kong Travellers' Health Service website for the latest information on preventive measures.

* The Government will step up liaison with the Mainland inspection and quarantine authorities to ensure all live pigs and pork imported from the Mainland into Hong Kong are safe and hygienic.

* It will also step up inspection and enforcement at the retail level against improper handling of pork and other meat.