Open for business: Dr Margaret Chan refutes rumours that Hong Kong would declare itself an infected area.

Responding to inquiries from the media, Director of Health Dr Margaret Chan refuted rumours that Hong Kong would declare itself an infected area.

"I would like to take this opportunity to inform the people of Hong Kong categorically that we have no plan, and there's no need, for us to declare Hong Kong as an infected area," she said.

"As a matter of fact, our airport and all our external transports with other parts of the world will continue as usual. Everything is running as scheduled and normally."

Dr Chan added: "Another point I wish to make is, in terms of food supply and other supply, we have adequate supply to provide the needs of the citizens of Hong Kong. So there is no need for anybody to have a run on food and other things."

As stipulated in the World Health Organisation's International Health Regulations, a place will only be declared as an infected area if the spread of one of the following diseases cannot be put under control:

* yellow fever

* plague

* cholera

Meanwhile, Airport Authority Chief Executive Dr David Pang stated that Hong Kong International Airport's remain normal. Rumours that the airport would be closed are unfounded and unsubstantiated, he stressed.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly posting the bogus news on a newspaper website. He has been released on bail of $1,000 and needs to report to the Police three weeks later.