SARS stigma lingers in Hong Kong

Tuesday 29 July 2003, 6:30 AM

Poor public understanding of SARS in Hong Kong has fueled lingering prejudice against former patients who have recovered from the potentially lethal respiratory illness, an expert said.

Gone are the days when even the slightest cough - a common symptom of severe acute respiratory syndrome - could cause panic, but even now many people still avoid colleagues, friends and even family members who had SARS even though they don't pose a risk any more, said researcher Dr. Sing Lee.

An outbreak of SARS earlier this year which originated in China killed more than 800 people worldwide, mostly in Asia.

Hong Kong was among the hardest hit areas. A total of 1,755 people fell sick and 299 died from the disease, but the World Health Organization declared the territory SARS-freee about a month ago.

Announcing the results of a survey on attitudes toward former SARS patients Monday, Lee said discrimination has persisted because the public hasn't been properly informed.