The Centre for Health Protection said on Tuesday it would only further raise its alert level for the Ebola outbreak in Africa if there were wider transmissions overseas or if Hong Kong recorded any imported cases.

The comments came as the SAR government earlier stepped up precautions and activated its "alert" response to the outbreak, though that was the lowest level among its three-tier mechanism, which also comprises "serious" and "emergency".

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, the head of the centre's communicable disease branch, Albert Au, again assured the public that risks to Hong Kong remained low, as the epidemic mainly occurred in certain areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda and had not evolved into a cross-continental outbreak.

But the government would continue to monitor the need to upgrade its response level, he said, adding that authorities attach great importance to the issue.

"If we find the outbreak has escalated overseas, such as the epidemic situation having worsened in these two countries and spread to more African countries or even other states, or if unfortunately Hong Kong itself records the first confirmed imported case from abroad, then we might raise the [response] level to 'serious' because the risks have increased," Au said.

"In a worst-case scenario, if there are signs the virus has already spread within the local community or there are local infections of unknown origins, we'll raise the alert to the highest 'emergency' level."

The outbreak is suspected to have caused at least 100 deaths and nearly 400 infections as of Monday, with the virus being a rare strain known as Bundibugyo, which has no proven vaccines or treatment.

The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, and the SAR government has implemented a series of measures, including health screenings for passengers arriving on flights from Africa, to guard against imported cases.

Noting that the average fatality rate from Ebola outbreaks is generally around 50 percent and the illness has an incubation period of up to 21 days, Au called on residents to avoid going to the affected regions unless it is absolutely necessary.

"If you really must go, make sure to take protective measures, including always paying attention to personal hygiene and not coming into contact with any wild animals and avoiding visiting hospitals there," he said.

"And if you develop symptoms such as a fever and vomiting within 21 days, you must seek medical help at emergency rooms as soon as possible, and inform the doctors that you've been to those affected regions."

Ebola is transmitted to humans through close contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids.



Edited by Thomas McAlinden