The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) said today (April 22) that no additional case of measles infection has been recorded as at 4pm today.

     Regarding measles control measures implemented at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), a total of four persons received measles vaccination at the airport vaccination station as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 8 254.

     From tomorrow to next Sunday (April 23 to 28), the vaccination quota for the measles vaccination station at the airport remains at 500 doses daily. Vaccination for eligible airport staff will be provided to the following target groups who:

(1) Were born in or after 1967, and have not received two doses of measles vaccination, and have not been infected with measles before, and with evidence of living with infants under 1 year old or living with pregnant women; or

(2) Have laboratory evidence of testing not positive against measles antibody (IgG)

     Details of evidence are as follows:

(a) Supporting documents for living with infants under 1 year old: for example, birth certificate, discharge summary or vaccination card of the infant

(b) Supporting documents for living with pregnant women: for example, positive pregnancy tests or antenatal follow-up cards of the pregnant women

(c) Supporting documents for laboratory evidence: for example, blood results from the DH's measles serology test or any laboratory within the past 12 months

     The venue and operation hours of the airport vaccination station are as follows:
 
 

     As for the blood test service, the DH will continue to arrange the provision of a measles serology test service for airport staff to identify those who need the measles vaccination. A DH contractor will continue to provide the blood test service for about 200 airport staff who were born in or after 1967 daily from tomorrow to Thursday (April 23 to 25).

     The venue and operation hours of the airport blood test station are as follows:
  
 

     A hotline (2125 1122) has been set up for public enquiries and operates during office hours from Mondays to Fridays. A total of 3 223 enquiries have been received so far. 

     "The incubation period (the period from infection to appearance of illness) of measles ranges from seven days to 21 days. Symptoms of measles include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If symptoms arise, members of the public should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals," the spokesman advised.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 22) investigating a case of invasive meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons.

     The case involves an 89-year-old woman with underlying illnesses, who had presented with fever, chills and vomiting since April 19. She was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital for treatment on the same day. Her clinical diagnosis was meningococcaemia. The patient is now in a stable condition.    
 
     Her blood specimen tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis upon laboratory testing.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Her home contact remains 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.

     In view of the latest situation in Sri Lanka, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (April 22) issued Red Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) on Sri Lanka.

     A Government spokesman said, "Residents who intend to visit the country should adjust their travel plans and avoid non-essential travel, including leisure travel. Those already there should monitor the situation, exercise caution, attend to personal safety and avoid large gatherings of people."

     The Security Bureau will closely monitor the situation there. Any update will be issued through the media and the bureau's Mobile App and OTA webpage www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota.

     Residents in Sri Lanka who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit (AHU) of the Immigration Department (ImmD) at (852) 1868 or contact the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka at consular protection hotline: (94) 11-2676033.

     Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service (www.gov.hk/roti) of the ImmD to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means, including SMS on mobile phones, on a timely basis when necessary.

Attention TV/radio announcers:
 
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
 
     The car park at Hong Kong Wetland Park is full. Motorists going to the Park can use the nearby public car parks at Tin Heng Estate, Tin Yat Estate, Grandeur Terrace or Tin Yip Road.
 
     Members of the public are encouraged to take public transport to the Park.

     In celebration of World Book Day and to further promote reading in Hong Kong, the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) and the Education Bureau (EDB) will jointly present the 2019 World Book Day Fest at S.K.H. Holy Trinity Church Secondary School, Ho Man Tin on April 27 (Saturday). School heads, teachers and librarians of secondary and primary schools and kindergartens, as well as students and parents, are welcome to participate in the event.

     The World Book Day Fest, an annual event co-organised by SCOLAR and EDB, aims at sustaining a reading culture in the city, nurturing students' reading interest and encouraging them to develop a reading habit from a young age.

     Themed "Towards a Reading City: Folktaleoscope" this year, there will be a number of creative and inspirational game booths revolving around folktales of different cultures to allow students to discover the collective wisdom of ordinary folk.

     The Fest will also feature a number of vibrant reading activities such as reading-related experience sharing and programmes for children of different ages and their parents. These activities include a sharing session on reading by young people from diverse backgrounds, "Folktales Alfresco" at which secondary school students will share their joy of reading folktales, the much-loved "Rugby-English Active Learning" activity, a poem and painting composition workshop, all kinds of fun-filled student performances, a language orienteering challenge, a book exhibition, "Book Sharing", the Pop-up Library set up by the Hong Kong Public Library of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and much more.

     Members of the public are welcome to join the Fest and share the joy of reading. Enrolment for certain programmes is on a first-come, first-served basis and can be made via SCOLAR. Details of the Fest have been uploaded onto the SCOLAR website (scolar.gov.hk).

     Building on the strengths in the promotion of reading across the curriculum, SCOLAR and EDB aim to foster a sustainable atmosphere and culture of reading across the city by capitalising on the synergy of schools, parents and community partners through the World Book Day Fest.