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Development, population growth and climate change have pressurized water stress in the world. Being an urbanized coastal city, Hong Kong has adopted a dual water supply system since the 1950s for seawater toilet flushing for 80% of its 7 million inhabitants. Despite its success in saving 750,000 m3/day of freshwater, the saline sewage (consisting of about 20-30% of seawater) appears to have sacrificed the urban water cycle in terms of wastewater reuse and recycling. Can seawater toilet flushing be applied without affecting the urban water cycle with respect to sustainable water resource management? To address this issue, we examined the entire urban water cycle and developed an innovative water resource management system by integrating freshwater, seawater and reclaimed grey water into a sustainable, low-freshwater demand, low-energy consumption, and low-cost triple water supply (TWS) system. The applicability of this novel system has been demonstrated at the Hong Kong International Airport which reduced 52% of its freshwater demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective: To describe the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome in Hong Kong. Design: Descriptive case series. Setting: Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China Results: The outbreak started with a visitor from southern China on 21 February. At the hospitals where the first cases were treated the disease spread quickly among healthcare workers, and then out into the community as family members became infected. By 1 April, 685 cases had been reported with 16 deaths. Symptoms include high fever and one or more respiratory symptoms (including cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing). Changes in lung tissue suggest that part of the lung damage is due to cytokines induced by the microbial agent, which has led to empirical treatment with corticosteroids, broad spectrum antiviral agent, and antibacterial cover. There is strong evidence that a novel coronavirus is the pathogen. Precautions for droplet infection should be instituted, including the wearing of masks and rigorous disinfection and hygiene procedures. On 27 March the Department of Health announced drastic measures, including vigorous contact tracing and examination, quarantine of contacts in their homes, and closure of all schools and universities. Conclusion: The rapidity of the spread of the disease and the morbidity indicate that the agent responsible is highly infectious and virulent. Strict infection control measures for droplet and contact transmission by healthcare workers, a vigilant healthcare profession, and public education are essential for disease prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on a study conducted by researcher K.W. Choi and colleagues, published in the November 4, 2003 issue of the medical journal "Annals of Internal Medicine," which reviewed medical records of patients who were admitted to the hospital for probable disease, SARS, during February 26 to March 31, 2003. During this time, health care workers used standard forms to record patient findings and results of laboratory and X-ray tests. All patients had tests, nasopharyngeal aspirates and blood tests, to detect corona virus and antibodies to corona virus. All, but one patient, received several therapies, including antibiotics, an antiviral drug, and steroids. Patients were followed for at least three months from their first day of hospitalization.