WHO official praises city's transparency David Heymann urges Hong Kong to maintain its vigilance against Sars.

(From South China Morning Post)

Byline: Ravina Shamdasani

World Health Organisation official David Heymann yesterday praised Hong Kong for its handling of the Sars outbreak - but warned the city not to let its guard down.

Dr Heymann, the WHO's head of communicable diseases, told a gathering of government, business and medical professionals: "We would like to thank Hong Kong for the transparency which has given us the information we have needed to deal with disease ... We also acknowledge the health workers who have died." Hong Kong had shown the way in openness and transparency despite the consequences on its economy.

Dr Heymann urged …