Macao steps up measures against avian flu virus

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, convened an inter-departmental meeting today to evaluate surveillance measures taken to prevent the spread of the H7N9 avian influenza virus from the Mainland, and to detail prevention and control plans.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, the Director-General of the Macao Customs, Mr Choi Lai Hang, and heads of other bureaux including Government Information, Civic and Municipal Affairs, Public Security Police Force, Fire Services, Health, Macau Government Tourist Office, and Environment Protection.
Mr Chui listened to reports from various departments and evaluated the chances of the virus passing into Macao, after taking into consideration the latest information from the National Health and Family Planning Commission, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the World Health Organization and the neighboring regions.
He vowed that prevention of the virus and protecting the lives and properties of people of Macao is top of the Government's agenda. Since Macao has a high density population, the Government will raise the level of prevention and control plan once the first case of H7N9 is reported in Macao or in the neighboring regions.
If this happened, the Government might sacrifice short-term economic interests to achieve its goal. The Government will also release information in a timely manner to the public.
He said the Government would continue to collect information from different channels with the Mainland and Hong Kong, and he called on the public to remain calm as the Government has sufficient medicines to fight the virus.
So far no H7N9 avian influenza virus case has been reported in Macao.