July 22, 2004
Message from the Faculty of Medicine
Stress and Psychological Impact on SARS Patients
and High-Risk Health Care Workers During SARS Outbreak
In 2003, the outbreak of SARS caused a global public health crisis. 8,422 probable SARS cases were recorded, resulting in 916 deaths (of which 1 in 4 occurred in Hong Kong). Since SARS is caused by a novel Coronavirus and can be fatal, this resulted in much worry among health care workers, patients and the general public.
In view of this, the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong conducted 2 studies on SARS patients and high-risk health care workers, in order to understand the stress and psychological impact on them during the SARS outbreak. These 2 research studies revealed that there was a significant increase in stress amongst all groups studied during the outbreak. It was highest in SARS patients, followed by health care workers who had similarly raised stress levels to
healthy controls. However, both SARS patients and health care workers reported positive psychological responses when dealing with SARS, for example, awareness of health and hygiene, focus on current affairs, civic-mindedness and caring for others.
The research findings have been published in an international medical journal - Canadian Journal of Psychiatry in June 2004.
For details, please visit the website of Faculty of Medicine at http://www.hku.hk/facmed/press .
SARS對病人及高危醫護人員在壓力及心理方面的影響
二零零三年，「沙士」在全球引發公眾健康危機，並導致8,422人受到感染及916人因此而死亡（其中1/4為香港病人）。由於「沙士」是由全新的冠狀病毒引起，且能引致死亡，加上醫學界及普羅大眾當時對這種新的病症所知不多，因此在「沙士」爆發期間，引起了醫護人員，病人及巿民不少的憂慮及壓力。
有見及此，香港大學醫學院精神醫學系在去年「沙士」爆發的高峰期分別對香港「沙士」病人及在「沙士」隔離病房工作的醫護人員進行了問卷訪問，以瞭解「沙士」對他們在壓力及心理方面的影響。結果兩項研究顯示所有組別在「沙士」爆發期間的壓力指數均有明顯上升。但他們在面對「沙士」疫潮時均有非常「正面」的反應，如較以前更注意個人健康及衛生，以及注意社會的時事動向，亦令社會間培養出守望相助及團結的精神。
有關研究結果已於二零零四年六月在國際醫學期刊－Canadian Journal of Psychiatry刊登。欲知詳情，請瀏覽
網頁http://www.hku.hk/facmed/press .
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June 3, 2004
Message from HKU Task Force on SARS
On 28 May 2004, Hong Kong stood down Alert Level of SARS response system which was last activated on 23 April 2004 in response to the report of the SARS case in the Mainland. In this regard, we consider it appropriate to remove the link of the SARS Website from the home page of the University (http://www.hku.hk).
Kindly notice that the SARS Website is now relocated to the University Health Service's Website (http://www.hku.hk/uhs) under the icon "Health Information". Besides the relocation, we are also updating the structure and contents of the site. However, the URL of it remains unchanged.
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March 11, 2004
Message from The Convenor of Task Force on SARS
The University was informed on 6th March 2004 that a palm civet-like animal
was found on the false ceiling of Room G02, Ground Floor, Chong Yuet Ming
Amenities Centre. The Department of Health and the Agricultural and Fisheries
Department were notified. The animal escaped. A specimen of its droppings was
collected for examination.
The room was disinfected according to the instructions of the Department of
Health on 6th and 7th of March. The false ceiling boards were changed and the
defect was repaired. The room was reopened on 8th March for use.
As a precautionary measure, those who have been in that room from 26th
February 2004 to 6th March 2004 please watch out for the following symptoms
for 10 days after your last contact and report to the University Health Service
or your own doctor:
- Fever
- Cough
- Diarrhoea
- Respiratory difficulty
Please state that you have been in that room when you seek medical attention.
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February 6, 2004
Message from Medical Faculty
Dear colleagues and students,
Prevention of SARS
Several SARS cases were reported in China these few weeks. The health column with Metro Daily this week (February 6, 2004) would be on the 'Prevention of SARS'. Faculty of Medicine, HKU will elucidate to you how to maintain good personal and community hygiene so as to prevent SARS attack, the care of chronic patients and children during SARS peak season. We will also introduce some practical tips in maintaining good psychological health during disease outbreaks.
You are welcome to visit the website http://www.hku.hk/facmed/healthedu/index.html for more information.
各位同事及同學︰
如何有效地預防SARS
由於近期內地發現零星SARS個案。香港大學醫學院與都市日報合作的健康專欄，本星期(二零零四年二月六日)的專題將為讀者介紹如何有效地預防SARS。香港大學醫學院會在專欄中為你詳細解釋怎樣保持個人及社區衛生以預防SARS、與及長期病患者及幼童的護理，並會介紹如何在心理上做好準備，面對疾病疫潮。
詳情請到 http://www.hku.hk/facmed/healthedu/index.html 瀏覽相關資料。
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Message from the Convenor of Task Force on SARS
A case of SARS has been confirmed in Guangdong. The source of infection for this newly confirmed case remains unclear. Investigation suggests that SARS may have originated from contact with wild animals sold for human consumption at live markets in the southern China.
Please be reminded that you should NOT go to work, class or attend public activities when you have a fever and put on a MASK if you have a fever and/or symptoms of respiratory infection.
Please also CONSULT a doctor promptly if you have been to Guangdong area and develop a fever and/or respiratory symptoms afterwards.
Continue to observe the following precautionary measures against SARS:
- Build up good body immunity by having a balanced 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.
- Avoiding visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.
- Consult a doctor promptly if one develops a fever and respiratory symptoms.
- Put on a mask if suffering from respiratory tract infection.
- Put on a mask when taking care of patients with respiratory infection and wash hands afterwards.
Let us be united, vigilant and prepared to stop the spread of SARS.
(Jan 8, 2004)
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