Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 29) investigating a food poisoning case related to the consumption of wild mushrooms, and urged the public not to pick and eat wild mushrooms.

     The case involves a 51-year-old female, who developed vomiting and diarrhoea about one hour after consuming wild mushrooms at home on April 25. She sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of North District Hospital on the same day and was admitted for treatment. She has been in a stable condition and was discharged.

     Initial investigations revealed that the patient picked the wild mushrooms consumed from the roadside in Shek Wu Hui, Sheung Shui on April 25. The CHP’s investigation is ongoing.

     “Members of the public should not pick wild mushrooms for consumption as it is difficult to distinguish edible mushroom species from inedible ones,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Mushroom poisoning is generally acute. Common presentations include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain appearing shortly after ingestion. Depending on the mushroom species, patients may also have other symptoms like profuse sweating, hallucinations, coma or other neurological symptoms, as well as liver failure. Death may result in severe cases,” he added.

     “If mushroom poisoning is suspected, the patient should seek immediate medical attention and bring along any available remnant for identification,” the spokesman said. read more

     China Road and Bridge Corporation illegally used powered mechanical equipment to carry out night-time works at a sports centre construction site at Area 24D on Sha Tin Tau Road in Sha Tin, which violated the regulation on noise control. The company was fined $18,000 by Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (April 29) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a complaint from members of the public in February last year about the noise nuisance generated by night-time works at a construction site on Sha Tin Tau Road. EPD staff conducted an investigation and found that the construction site concerned had obtained a construction noise permit (CNP) from the EPD, but construction works was illegally carried out using a concrete lorry mixer after 7pm, which violated the CNP requirements. The department subsequently initiated prosecution against the main contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation, in accordance with the NCO.

     The EPD spokesman explained that the NCO aims to protect the public from disturbance of rest. Members of the construction industry should carry out works during the daytime and non-general holidays as far as possible to minimise disturbance to nearby residents. If the works have to be conducted during the restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am the following day, or at any time on a general holiday), a permit must be obtained from the EPD. The construction works shall commence only when the CNP has been granted upon completion of an assessment to support its compliance with regulatory requirements. Only specified powered mechanical equipment as indicated in the CNP can be used for the construction works and contractors must also implement noise mitigation measures to minimise noise nuisance as stipulated by the CNP, including the erection of hoardings, noise enclosures and barriers at the sites, to reduce the impact of noise on nearby residents as far as possible. Otherwise, it constitutes an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.

     The EPD has followed up the case with works supervisory staff of the Architectural Services Department and the contractor concerned. The contractor has been requested to properly arrange its works and strictly comply with all CNP requirements. read more

     In celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Police Force, a commemorative book, entitled “Hong Kong Police Force 175th Anniversary – From Strength to Strength  Serving with Pride and Care”, will g… read more

     A man who went missing in Sham Shui Po has been located.      Au Yim-leung, aged 24, went missing after he was last seen on Pei Ho Street on April 26 afternoon. His family made a report to Polic… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 29) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From April 21 to 27, one community-acquired LD case was reported. The male patient, aged 72 with underlying illnesses, lives in Boundary Building, Boundary Street 2, Yau Tsim Mong District.

     “Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of April 27, 19 LD cases had been reported in 2019. In 2018 and 2017, there were 105 and 72 cases respectively.

     “Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels,” the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

     1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
     2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
     3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
     4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
     5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.  read more