Track down: Police staff input atypical pneumonia patients' information to its Major Incident Investigation & Disaster Support System.

To assist the Department of Health in tracking atypical pneumonia patients and virus sources, Police are using its Major Incident Investigation & Disaster Support System.

Chief Inspector Alan Chan said the system is originally designed for tracking criminals and their connection networks.

The system includes a number of advanced features which allow investigators to locate possible patients, work out patients' connection networks and the distribution of atypical pneumonia cases in different places.

Mr Chan said the Department of Health will collect atypical pneumonia patients' information and pass it to the Police.

Officers will then put all the data into its system for analysis. The result will be transferred to Department of Health and the multi-disciplinary response team for follow-up action.

These actions include tracking the index patients, carrying out  investigations and cleansing work in the infected buildings.

So far, Police have mobilised about 35 officers to handle the investigation work of atypical pneumonia.