HK, Beijing wrap up quarantine agreement
Updated: 2008-08-07 08:36
(HK Edition)
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Hong Kong and mainland authorities have signed an agreement to enhance co-operation on health quarantine measures at boundary control points to reduce the risk of communicable diseases.
Director of Health Lam Ping-yan and Department of Supervision on Health Quarantine of the General Administration on Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine Director General Chen Xiaofeng signed the document in Beijing.
Under the agreement, which came into immediate effect, both sides will:
* strengthen the notification system and communication channel on disease outbreaks and public-health incidents;
* develop core capacity at points of entry and strengthen relevant prevention and control measures as required by international health regulations;
* enhance prevention and also control of disease vectors at points of entry, including vector surveillance on cross-boundary conveyances; and
* step up contingency response to public health incidents.
The two sides will at the same time boost co-operation in technology and skill development in health-quarantine measures, including public-health risk assessment; enhance surveillance and laboratory examination of major or emerging infectious diseases, and training of public health professionals.
China Daily
(HK Edition 08/07/2008 page1)