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| Hong Kong removed from Sars-affected list ( 23/06/2003 ) | |||||||||
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World Health Organisation (WHO) officials are urging people to resume travel to Hong Kong, following its removal from its list of Sars-affected areas.
"This is a very significant achievement," said Dr David Heymann, executive director of Communicable Diseases at WHO. "Hong Kong, with its dense population and fluid border with China, had one of the hardest outbreaks to control. This success means that the whole world can now feel safer from the SARS threat." Hong Kong's removal from the WHO list is an automatic process 20 days after the last case is isolated. The good news came as the world health body announced there had been no new cases anywhere in the world for the past three days. "From the day when the first cluster of cases was recognised, Hong Kong officials have provided open, honest, and abundant information about Sars to both the public and the media," Dr Heymann said. "Hong Kong also benefited from the contribution of its outstanding scientists, epidemiologists, and clinicians, who were at the forefront of efforts to track down source cases in the various clusters, identify the causative agent, develop diagnostic tests, and work out treatment protocols". The WHO said that Hong Kong also pioneered many of the control measures used to successfully contain smaller outbreaks elsewhere. Full programme of business events Overseas buyers greeted the news positively. More than 40 major trade fairs are scheduled to take place between July and November and international buyers have indicated that they are keen to replenish their stock. "It's really important for buyers go back to Hong Kong as soon as possible. Everyone can go back with confidence now," said Trevor Offless, of British giftware supplier, Robert Bland Ltd. "I've been visiting Hong Kong for the past seven years, and I'm looking forward to meeting up with our suppliers and partners who have become good friends as well," said Mr Offless. Click here for a full list of Trade Development Council events Highlights of the months ahead: July August September Related link: | |||||||||
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