HK's influenza response level lowered

HONG KONG, May 24 (Xinhua) -- The influenza response level under the framework of the Hong Kong government's preparedness plan for flu pandemic was lowered from the "emergency" to the " alert" on Monday.

A spokesman for the Department of Health of Hong Kong Monday said the department's Emergency Response Level Steering Committee decided on May 11 that the "emergency" response level would be lowered to the "alert" level from May 24, barring any unforeseen factors arising from a meeting of the World Health Organization ( WHO) before that date.

"Given the absence of such unforeseen announcements at the WHO meeting, the stand down can now go ahead as scheduled," the spokesman said.

The "emergency" level was activated on May 1, 2009, when the first A/H1N1 influenza case was confirmed in Hong Kong.

The spokesman said that the government and public hospital activities will gradually revert to a scale appropriate for the alert response level including reversion of designated flu clinics to general outpatient clinics; normalization of infection control practices and services in hospitals and clinics; updating of messages and information for the public and relevant stakeholders.

However, the influenza surveillance and the A/H1N1 influenza vaccination program will continue, he added.

The public are advised to stay vigilant and maintain personal and environmental hygiene habits; maintaining good indoor ventilation; building up good body immunity.

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