Title: Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SARS in Hong Kong
1Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS) in Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Medical Association
2Types of Pneumonia
- Bacterial Pneumonia
- Atypical Pneumonia - Mycoplasma
- Viral
- Chemical
3Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
- First recognised in Feb 2003 (case in Hanoi)
- A form of Atypical Pneumonia
- characteristics - high fever (gt38C or 100.4 F)
- - dry cough
- - breathing difficulties
- - rapid deterioration
4No. of case of SARS worldwide (1)
- From 1 Nov 2002 To 24 June 2003, 1700 GMT2
5No. of case of SARS worldwide (2)
- From 1 Nov 2002 To 24 June 2003, 1700 GMT2
6Figures on Atypical Pneumonia in HK
- From The Department of Health website as at 24
June 2003
7Epidemiological linkage
Metropole Hotel
1 Mainland visitor Onset 21 Feb 03
PWH index patient Onset 21 Feb 03
Succumbed at KWH
1 American Chinese
3 Singapore visitors
2 Canadian visitors
Outbreak in Singapore
Hanoi outbreak index case
A private hospital outbreak on Hong Kong Island
Outbreak in Toronto, Canada
8Symptoms of Respiratory Illness
9Known Facts about SARS
- Less infectious than influenza
- Incubation 2 to 7 days
- Infective period?
- A new virus?
- Any treatment?
- Mortality?
10How does SARS spread?
- NOT airborne
- Droplets
- - via close contact with an infected person
- Contaminated working surfaces
- (e.g. formites, stainless steel)
- survival up to 6 hours
11The wearing of face masks
- Healthcare workers looking after
suspected/confirmed cases of SARS - Family members of suspected/ confirmed case
- Wearing in public area?
- N95? Surgical mask?
12Guideline for wearing facemask
posted on the Department of Health website on
28/03/2003
- Wash hands before wearing a facemask.
- Follow the instructions on the packet carefully,
if available. - In general, when wearing a surgical facemask, the
following should be noted - the facemask should fit snugly over the face
- the coloured side of the facemask should face
outside - tie all the strings that keep the facemask in
place or fix the rubber bands of the facemask
round the ears properly - the facemask should fully cover the nose, mouth
as well as the chin - the metallic wire part of the facemask should be
fixed securely over the bridge of the nose to
prevent leakage - under general circumstances, the surgical mask
should be changed daily.
13Guideline for wearing facemask
posted on the Department of Health website on
28/03/2003
- Put the facemask into a plastic bag and tie it
properly before putting it into a rubbish bin.
You may dispose a used facemask concealed in a
separate bag with the rest of your domestic
wastes. - Replace the facemask immediately if it is damaged
or soiled.
Wearing a facemask is just one of the ways to
prevent respiratory tract infections. The most
important thing a person should do is to observe
good personal hygiene. For example, wash hands
frequently with liquid soap, especially after
sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose.
14Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infection (1)
- Building good body immunity by having a proper
diet, regular exercise and adequate rest,
reducing stress and avoiding smoking - Maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands
after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose - Maintain good ventilation
15Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infection (2)
- Avoid visiting crowded places with poor
ventilation - Put on a mask if taking care of a patient with
respiratory symptoms and wash hands thoroughly
afterwards - Put on a mask if suffering from respiratory tract
infection to reduce the chance of spreading the
infection to people around them.
16Statistics on community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
- There is no unusual rise in the number of CAP
- The causes of CAP are similar to previous years
- (50 each of known causes and unknown causes)
17 The End
- The Hong Kong Medical Association