With the number of Hong Kong's new atypical pneumonia cases falling
to four on Sunday, the World Health Organization (WHO) is set to
revoke its travel advisory against Hong Kong in weeks, a Hong Kong
newspaper said Monday.
Such was reported by the Hong Kong Economic Times, citing remarks
made by David Heymann, the WHO's executive director in charge of
communicable diseases, in an exclusive interview the paper
conducted.
The paper said it is understood that the Hong Kong government will
continue to lobby the WHO on Monday for its cancellation of the
travel advisory against Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Heymann was also quoted as saying that the number of
active cases is the least important factor when considering whether
or not a travel advisory be canceled.
Earlier, Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food E.K. Yeoh quoted
WHO officials as saying that the number of new cases and the
identifiable transmission channels are the key information the
organization considers.
(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2003)