HK launches Preparedness and Response Plan for Ebola Virus Disease

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Wednesday announced the launch of the Preparedness and Response Plan for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) , setting out the measures in case of an outbreak of EVD.

In the Plan, a three-tier response level, which is adopted for the preparedness plans of influenza pandemic and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, is used.

The three response levels, namely Alert, Serious and Emergency, are based on the risk assessment of the EVD that may affect Hong Kong and its health impact on the community.

In accordance with the Plan, the Alert Response Level is activated with reference to the current epidemiological situation.

The Plan includes comprehensive response measures, clear command structures, and mechanisms for the activation and standing down of response levels.

"The EVD Plan ensures that when EVD may have a significant public health impact on Hong Kong, the HKSAR government would be equipped with the core capacities to prevent, detect, characterize and respond quickly to the EVD threats in order to reduce mortality and morbidity," a spokesman for the HKSAR government said.