Temperature screening of inbound passengers will be reactivated on Nov. 18. at Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau immigration control points, according to the Hong Kong government website.

According to Hong Kong Health Department's Assistant Director of Health Dr. Cindy Lai, temperature screening was a precautionary measure to reduce the spread of avian influenza following reports of human cases of avian flu H5N1 in Hunan and Anhui on the Chinese mainland.

She said that 11 infrared thermo-imaging machines were installed at Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau immigration control points and temperature checking of travelers arriving Hong Kong would start from tomorrow.

Travelers found to have high body temperature by infrared machines will have their temperature re-checked.

Those confirmed to have fever will be further assessed for symptoms of influenza and, if required, they will be referred to hospitals for further investigations.

Temperature screening will also be implemented at other immigration control points including Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok, HungHom Train Station, China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan at later stages.  

(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2005)