The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 24) investigating a case of invasive meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons.

     The case involves a 54-year-old man, with underlying illnesses, who had presented with fever since May 20 and convulsion on May 21. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on May 21 and was transferred to the intensive care unit of the hospital for further management on the same day. He was later transferred to a general ward. His cerebrospinal fluid sample tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was meningococcal meningitis. The patient is now in a stable condition.    

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. The CHP's investigation is continuing.

     "Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is mainly transmitted by direct contact through respiratory secretions, including droplets from the nose and throat, from infected persons. The incubation period varies from two to 10 days, and is commonly three or four days," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The clinical picture may vary. Severe illness may result when the bacteria invade the bloodstream (meningococcaemia) or the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis).

     Meningococcaemia is characterised by sudden onset of fever, intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases. Meningococcal meningitis is characterised by high fever, severe headache and stiff neck followed by drowsiness, vomiting, fear of bright light, or a rash. It can cause brain damage or even death. The brain damage may lead to intellectual impairment, mental retardation, hearing loss and electrolyte imbalance. Invasive meningococcal infections can be complicated by arthritis, inflammation of the heart muscle, inflammation of the posterior chamber of the eye or chest infection.

     Meningococcal infection is a serious illness. Patients should be treated promptly with antibiotics.

     To prevent meningococcal infection, members of the public are advised to take heed of the following measures:
 

• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing, and clean hands with alcohol-based handrub when they are not visibly soiled;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with a tissue, dispose of nasal and mouth discharges in a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands immediately;
• Avoid crowded places;
• Avoid close contact with patients who have fever or severe headache;
• Travellers to high-risk areas may consult doctors for meningococcal vaccination; and
• Travellers returning from high-risk areas should seek medical advice if they become ill and should discuss their recent travel history with their doctor.

     The public may visit the CHP's website for more information on meningococcal infection.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 17 open meetings and a public hearing during the week from May 27 to June 1 in the LegCo Complex.  Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change.  Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo and its Committees.  Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours.  Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) held separate meetings today (May 24) with members of the Kwun Tong District Council (DC) and the Sai Kung DC at the LegCo Complex to discuss and exchange views on matters of mutual interest.
 
     During the meeting with the Kwun Tong DC, LegCo members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on retrofitting barrier-free pedestrian facilities in Kwun Tong District; the effectiveness of the work of the Joint Offices for Investigation of Water Seepage Complaints; mass transit transport system and pedestrian accessibility issues in Kowloon Bay; relocation of concrete batching factories in Yau Tong area; development of Sai Tso Wan park; and studying the repositioning of green minibus services. The meeting was convened by Mr Wilson Or and attended by Mr Chan Hak-kan, Mr Wong Kwok-kin, Mrs Regina Ip, Mr Paul Tse, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Wu Chi-wai, Mr Ho Kai-ming, Mr Lau Kwok-fan and Mr Jeremy Tam.
 
     As for the meeting with the Sai Kung DC, LegCo members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on requesting the Hong Kong Design Institute to open its cultural and recreational facilities for public use; expediting the implementation of plans on cultural and recreational facilities already made for Tseung Kwan O and Sai Kung; speeding up the implementation of the East Kowloon Line railway project; relieving the vehicular congestion at Clear Water Bay Road and New Clear Water Bay Road; requesting the construction of additional typhoon shelters and the expansion of anchorage areas in Sai Kung; expediting the implementation of the development plan for the ex-Sai Kung Central Primary School site; and the nuisance caused by wild pigeons and wild pigs. The meeting was convened by Mr Alvin Yeung and attended by Mr Chan Hak-kan, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Chan Chi-chuen, Dr Elizabeth Quat, Mr Martin Liao, Ms Yung Hoi-yan, Dr Pierre Chan, Mr Lau Kwok-fan and Mr Gary Fan.

            

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has received reports from banks regarding eight cases of unauthorised small-value payment transactions over the past three weeks.  These unauthorised transactions involve three banks and a total value of HKD 70,000.  Based on the latest information, it is possible that the fraudsters have stolen the customers' Internet banking login passwords to perform small-value payment transactions.
      
     In accordance with the HKMA's regulatory requirements, banks should notify a customer immediately after the customer initiates a small-value payment transaction. The said unauthorised transactions were detected after the customers contacted the banks upon receiving the notifications. The affected banks and customers have reported these cases to the Police.  In accordance with the Code of Banking Practice, a customer should not be held responsible for any direct loss suffered by him or her as a result of unauthorised e-banking transactions unless he or she acts fraudulently or with gross negligence.  Following this requirement, the banks have already compensated some of the customers, while the remaining cases are being processed.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public of the need to take suitable precautionary measures when using e-banking services in order to prevent these fraud cases from happening.  These precautionary measures include:

• Setting e-banking passwords that are difficult to guess and different from the ones for other internet services, and regularly changing these passwords;
• Installing and promptly updating security software to protect their computers and mobile phones;
• Refraining from using public computers or public Wi-Fi to access e-banking accounts; and
• Checking their e-banking accounts from time to time and reviewing alert messages and statements issued by banks in a timely manner.

     If members of the public find unauthorised transactions conducted over their accounts, they should contact their bank as soon as possible and report to the Police or contact the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre of the Police at 18222.
      
     Members of the public are encouraged to study the following public educational materials on e-banking services: www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/key-functions/banking-stability/consumer-corner/strengthening-financial-consumer-protection/consumer-education-programme/internet-banking.shtml

     Music and sound in films subtly create mood and tone, which in turn influence the emotion of the audience. The exhibition "Invisible Perception – Film Scores and Sound Effects", organised by the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, is being held from today (May 24) to August 25 at the Exhibition Hall of the HKFA. The exhibition showcases the development of sound films, as well as the technology and functions of film scores and sound effects.

     In a simulated Foley studio, visitors to the exhibition will be able to experiment using props to create sound that matches the visuals in films. Visitors can also better understand the subtle relationship that exists between film scores and movies through interactive games and interview videos. The show also features a Nagra magnetic tape audio recorder used in the 1970s for recording sound and manuscripts for the film "Magnificent 72" (1980), composed by Yang Ping-chung.

     To tie in with the exhibition, a seminar entitled "'Listen' to a Film – Living Scoring Performance" hosted by film score researcher Angela Law and film score composer Julian Chan, including a live music accompaniment demonstration by students of the Hong Kong Design Institute, will be held at 2pm on July 6 at the HKFA Cinema. Also, 10 sessions of 30-minute workshops entitled "A Different Cinematic Voice – Sound Effect" will be held between 1.30pm and 6pm on July 7 at the HKFA Exhibition Hall, where participants can try their hand at being Foley artists. Both the seminar and workshops will be conducted in Cantonese.

     Admission to the exhibition, seminar and workshops is free. For details, please call 2739 2139 or visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en_US/web/hkfa/programmesandexhibitions/highlights/highlights54.html.