Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Wan and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, in the Legislative Council today (June 5): Question: &nbs… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 5) investigating an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in a kindergarten-cum-child care centre (KG/CCC) in Kwai Chung, and again urged the public, schools and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.
The 20 affected children, 14 boys and six girls aged 3 to 5, as well as one staff member, have developed oral ulcers, rash over hands or feet and fever since May 9. All of them sought medical attention but none required hospitalisation. All patients are in a stable condition.
Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the school and advised the management on necessary infection control and preventive measures. The school has been put under medical surveillance. Investigations are ongoing.
“HFMD is common in children while adult cases may also appear. It is usually caused by enteroviruses (EVs) such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
“HFMD occurs throughout the year with the usual peak occurring from May to July. A smaller peak may also occur from October to December. According to the CHP’s latest surveillance data, the local activity of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is at high level. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact,” the spokesman added.
To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:
The Department of Health (DH) today (June 5) appealed to the public not to buy or use a topical product (no English name on the package, see photo) as it was found to contain an undeclared controlled drug ingredient.
Acting upon intelligence, the DH purchased a sample of the above product via a social media platform for analysis. The product consisted of a day cream and a night cream in separate containers. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that both cream products contained clobetasol propionate, which is a Part 1 poison controlled under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138) (PPO).
The DH’s investigation is continuing.
Clobetasol propionate is a steroid substance for treating inflammatory skin disorders. Inappropriate or excessive application of steroids could cause skin problems and body-wide side effects like moon face, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, skin atrophy, adrenal insufficiency and osteoporosis. Products containing clobetasol propionate should only be used under a doctor’s directions and supplied in a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor’s prescription.
According to the PPO, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
The public should not buy or use products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of “HK-XXXXX”. The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.
People who have purchased the product should stop using it and consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or feeling unwell after use. They can submit the product to the DH’s Drug Office at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.
A skin care product supplier was fined $40,000 today (June 5) at Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts after being convicted of bait advertising, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that a skin care product supplier launched an advertisement via the Internet and leaflet distribution that a skin care product will be offered at a discounted price on a designated date. However, a customer was told the product had already been sold out when she visited the supplier on that day.
After investigation, it was revealed that the supplier had offered only one set of the skin care product for sale on that day.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure products at reputable shops.
Under the TDO, any trader who engages in bait advertising by claiming to supply products at a specified price but failing to offer those products for supply at that price for a reasonable period and in reasonable quantities, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk). read more
The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, will visit Macao and Zhuhai tomorrow (June 6). Mr Nip will depart for Macao in the morning to meet government officials o… read more