A publicity campaign has been organized to promote community participation and civic responsibility in epidemic prevention, according to a Hong Kong government press release on Saturday.

The campaign, organized by Hong Kong Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education, the Home Affairs Bureau, and the Home Affairs Department, was launched on Saturday at Lok Fu Shopping Center.

Committee Chairman Daniel Heung said "the whole community has the civic responsibility of caring for ourselves, caring for one another and protecting society, and reminding each other to keep the community clean and healthy."

"That is why we chose the slogan 'epidemic prevention is everybody's business'," Heung said.

Hong Kong Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Lam said the Home Affairs Bureau will strengthen promotion and liaison work on epidemic prevention and cooperate with related government departments to enhance awareness of the importance of keeping the community clean and healthy.

The campaign will be complemented by television promotions, and a series of district level activities to sustain community awareness and participation.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2006)