The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today urged the people of Macao to pay special attention to their personal hygiene, and said the Government would keep them up to date with the relevant epidemic information in a timely manner.

Speaking to journalist in Hainan for the Boao Forum for Asia 2013 Annual Conference, he said the Government is highly concerned with the new H7N9 avian influenza virus in human beings in the eastern region of the Mainland, and that the fight against this infectious disease tops the government’s agenda

Mr Chui said he had instructed the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, to step up preventive and control measures against the H7N9 avian influenza.

The Government would continue to liaise closely with the World Health Organization and relevant Mainland authorities, he said.

The notification mechanism of public health emergencies between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, which was established last year, has now been activated.

The Health Bureau sent a team of medical professionals to Shanghai today to gather more information on preventive and surveillance measures as well as the treatment programme so as to prepare for a better plan, said the Chief Executive.

He also stressed that Macao had in stock sufficient drugs and professional personnel protection products, and pledged that the Government would formulate effective measures to protect the lives and health of the people of Macao.

Over the past decade, Macao’s medical professionals had strengthened training on the prevention and control of infectious diseases and upgraded related equipment. Aside from that, accurate information on infectious disease by the reports of journalists was especially important.

Mr Chui said the Government would give out timely information timely so that the Government could join hand with the people of Macao to fight against the new virus.

He appealed to the public to cook all the raw food thoroughly and try to avoid contact with birds and their secretions.