051108en05008

	news.gov.hk
	From Hong Kong's Information Services Department

November 8, 2005

Health

HK prepared for bird flu outbreak: CE

Chief Executive Donald Tsang says public hospitals have made adequate preparations for any possible avian influenza pandemic, and Hong Kong has made enormous headway since the SARS outbreak.

The Hospital Authority today held a drill to test the contingency measures of the authority's head office and its hospital clusters in response to an avian influenza pandemic. Over 200 hospital staff participated in the four-hour drill.

Realistic run-through: Chief Executive Donald Tsang inspects a bird flu drill at Tuen Mun Hospital.

Speaking after inspecting the drill at Tuen Mun Hospital, Mr Tsang said similar exercises must continue to ensure communication between operation units are in order and all protective measures are properly utilised.

Mr Tsang said Hong Kong has made enormous headway since the SARS outbreak, in resource acquisition, deployment of resources, communication between various units, and improvements to hospital equipment and facilities.

"ICU facilities, special isolation facilities, all these are of international standard. But we are not complacent. We continue to learn from others' experience, advances made elsewhere and in particular we have participated in international seminars and we are on the alert on what the WHO is going to issue on the subject."