Travellers urged to avoid Hong Kong

THE damage from a deadly mystery disease escalated in Hong Kong yesterday as health officials warned travellers to avoid the territory.

The World Health Organisation said that travellers should stay away from Hong Kong and China’s Guangdong province, the two areas hardest hit by the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, which has infected more than 2,200 people worldwide and killed upwards of 78.

The WHO said it was taking the action because at least nine foreign businessmen who contracted SARS in Hong Kong brought it back to their home countries.

The action will bring further grief to hotels and airlines that have already seen bookings plunge.

Earlier, a 14-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly spreading online rumours that Hong Kong had been designated an “infected city,” prompting panic-buying of food and supplies.

One Hong Kong health expert said the WHO had overreacted.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” said Dr Lam Shiu-Kum, the dean of m edicine at the University of Hong Kong.

“The disease will not be spread if we maintain good hygiene and make everyone aware of it through good health education through channels including the airport,” Lam said.

“We have already got hold of the virus, developed a diagnostic test and know how to treat the illness.”

Hong Kong’s chief executive Tung Chee-Hwa played down the WHO’s decision as “a confirmation of what has happened,” and said he was focusing on stopping the disease.

“Undoubtedly, the present condition is serious,” he said “But there shouldn’t be any cause for panic because our treatment has been very effective.”

The fake online story that went out on Tuesday sent worried residents rushing to stock up on supplies of rice and other essentials.

Officials quickly put out statements saying it was not true, insisting that the city had adequate supplies of all provisions.

The Chinese-language newspaper Ming Pao reported yesterday that the boy had faked the story using its page design, and it quickly spread via instant internet messaging and e-mails.

A police spokeswoman said the boy was arrested for illegally accessing a computer with criminal intent. but charges were not immediately filed.

“I did it for fun,” the boy was quoted as saying. “I didn’t know that people would believe it.”