BEIJING, April 29 -- Hong Kong has launched the same plan to prevent an outbreak of swine flu that it used to combat SARS in 2003.

    Hong Kong health authorities and virus experts say they will take all necessary measures to avoid swine flu entering the Special Administrative Region. Surveillance measures have been stepped up at border control points.

    Hong Kong has escalated its alert level to "serious" in response to the swine flu virus.

    The Food and Health Bureau has held an urgent meeting with related departments to implement a preventive plan.

    Food & Health Secretary York Chow said, "If this virus is going to be a very effective human-to-human transmission, we should prepare for the worst."

    Chow is also urging residents to avoid travelling to affected countries.

    Air passengers with respiratory symptoms are urged to report to Port Health officers for examination.

    The government will work closely with the University of Hong Kong to develop faster testing methods for the virus and step up public education about the disease.

    Pharmacies and drug stores are seeing a surge in sales of masks and disinfectants.

    Hong Kong's subway company has also launched preventive plans.

    General Manager of HK Mass Transit Railway Co., said, "Now, we clean the carriages everyday. We also sterilize the turnstiles, ticketing machines, and elevators with disinfectant every four hours."

    Preventive measures have also been strengthened at other public places. Disinfect hand cleanser dispensers have been installed at shopping centers.

    The local government is urging the public not to panic.

    Food & Health Secretary York Chow said, "The virus is not affecting pigs directly and it will not be transmitted through pork, so I must reassure the public that consuming pork will not lead to infection."

    Many people are still buying pork at Hong Kong markets, but pork vendors are worried that the price may fall.

    (Source: cctv.com)