Society

HK, Shenzhen hold public health exercise

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-09 19:10

HONG KONG -- A joint public health exercise was held on Monday by health and quarantine departments in Hong Kong and Shenzhen to enhance communication and coordination between the two cities ahead of the 26th Shenzhen Summer Universiade in August.

The exercise, code-named Jasper, was conducted by Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health and Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau at Shenzhen Bay Port, aiming to test the response of the two sides in the event of an infectious disease outbreak during the Universiade period.

The exercise operated in a scenario that one member in a group of 36 spectators was found to have fever and suspected to have contracted Disease X, a severe emerging disease spread by droplets.

Hong Kong's Customs and Excise Department, Fire Services Department, Immigration Department, Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Shenzhen Bay Port Facility Management Office also participated in the drill.

About 130 participants from government departments and organizations from Hong Kong and Shenzhen took part in the exercise, which was observed by about 200 experts from health authorities in Hong Kong, mainland and Macao.