Staying Healthy

The two major health concerns for travelers to Hong Kong the past few years have been SARS and avian flu. At the time of going to press, neither pose a threat for those going to the SAR (yes, its name is an unfortunate coincidence). Hong Kong has culled its entire poultry population several times since the first reported avian flu outbreak in 1997, and importation from mainland China is immediately halted whenever any outbreaks occur there. As for SARS, since the 2003 outbreak that sickened 1,755 people in Hong Kong and killed 299 of them, Hong Kong has monitored passengers arriving by air, boat, and train by taking their temperatures. Passengers with pneumonia or fever, as well as those arriving from infected areas, are kept under close monitoring or isolation. To avoid being unnecessarily detained, don't travel with a fever. As an extra precaution, you might wish to have a flu shot before departing for Hong Kong.

Otherwise, no shots or inoculations are required for entry to the SAR, but you will need proof of a vaccination against cholera if you have been in an infected area during the 14 days preceding your arrival. Check with your travel agent or call the Hong Kong Tourist Authority if you are traveling through Asia before reaching Hong Kong. Also, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (tel. 800/311-3435; www.cdc.gov) provides up-to-date information on health hazards by region or country and offers tips on food safety.

Prescriptions can be filled at Hong Kong pharmacies only if they're issued by a local doctor. To avoid the hassle, be sure to bring more prescriptions than you think you'll need, clearly labeled in their original packages; pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage. It's also a good idea to carry copies of your prescriptions in case you run out, including generic names in case a local pharmacist is unfamiliar with the brand name. Over-the-counter items are easy to obtain, though name brands may be different from those back home, and some ingredients allowed elsewhere may be forbidden in Hong Kong (and vice versa).

If you're traveling during the hot and humid summer months, limit your exposure to the sun, especially during the first few days of your trip and particularly from 11am to 2pm. Use a sunscreen with a high protection factor. To avoid dehydration, you should also carry a water bottle, especially when hiking. Another concern when hiking in the New Territories or the islands is snakes. I've never seen one, but of Hong Kong's 49 native species, nine are venomous.

Generally, you're safe eating anywhere in Hong Kong, even at roadside food stalls. Stay clear of local oysters and shellfish, however, and remember that many restaurants outside the major hotels and tourist areas use MSG in their dishes as a matter of course, especially fast-food restaurants and Chinese kitchens that import products from the mainland. Water is safe to drink except in rural areas, where you should drink bottled water.

If you get sick, you may want to contact the concierge at your hotel -- some upper-range hotels have in-house doctors or clinics. Otherwise, your embassy in Hong Kong can provide a list of area doctors who speak English. You can also contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT) (tel. 716/754-4883, or, in Canada, 416/652-0137; www.iamat.org), an organization that lists many local English-speaking doctors and also posts the latest developments in global SARS and avian flu outbreaks. Otherwise, if you can't find a doctor who can help you right away, try the emergency room at the local hospital. Many emergency rooms have walk-in-clinics for cases that are not life-threatening. See "Fast Facts" for a list of hospitals and emergency numbers.

Staying Safe

Hong Kong is relatively safe for the visitor, especially if you use common sense and stick to such well-traveled nighttime areas as Tsim Sha Tsui, Lan Kwai Fong, or Causeway Bay. On the other hand, the main thing you must guard against is pickpockets. They often work in groups to pick men's pockets or slit open a woman's purse, quickly taking the valuables and then relaying them on to accomplices who disappear in the crowd. Favored places are Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, and Wan Chai. You should also be on guard on crowded public conveyances such as the MTR. To be on the safe side, keep your valuables in your hotel's safe-deposit box. If you need to carry your passport or large amounts of money, conceal everything in a money belt. Don't leave your passport in your hotel room unless it's in a safe or safe-deposit box.