Author Archives: hksar gov

     A man and a woman were each sentenced to 60 hours’ community service by the Eastern Magistrates’ Court today (April 18) for assaulting a Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) officer and obstructing a public officer in execution of duty respectively.

     In addition, the woman defendant was also fined $3,300 for depositing litter in a public place and $1,000 for failure to provide proof of identity without reasonable excuse.

     The court heard that the incident took place on November 1 last year in which the woman refused to co-operate when the FEHD officer tried to issue a fixed penalty notice to her for depositing litter in a public place at Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, Eastern District, while the man accompanying her assaulted the officer.

     “To use force against law enforcement officers is inappropriate and also carries legal consequences. Members of the public should co-operate with public officers in execution of their duties,” an FEHD spokesman said.
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     The Government today (April 18) launched the Preparedness and Response Plan for Dengue Fever, which sets out the preparedness and response plan when dengue fever may have a significant public health impact on Hong Kong.

     “The Plan aims to provide a framework for a response system for agreed and co-ordinated efforts among different government departments and relevant organisations with a view to reducing the public health impact of dengue fever on the Hong Kong population,” a spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said.

     The Plan adopts a three-tier response level system, comprising Alert, Serious and Emergency, with each level representing a graded risk of dengue fever affecting Hong Kong and its health impact on the community. It defines corresponding command structures and public health response measures, and serves as a tool for clear communication of the level of risk to the public.

     “The presence of Aedes albopictus in Hong Kong makes our population vulnerable and there are risks of explosive outbreaks if mosquito control is inadequate. Hence, mosquito control is most important. These considerations would be taken into account on top of the epidemiological situation when activating and deactivating the preparedness and response levels. The Government will assess the risk from time to time in view of the latest scientific evidence and situation, activate or deactivate the response level and implement corresponding measures. Relevant agencies and organisations should take note of this Plan in devising their own contingency plans and response measures,” the spokesman added.

     Imported cases of dengue fever have occurred frequently in Hong Kong while sporadic local cases have also occurred occasionally. In August 2018, a local outbreak of dengue fever with a total of 29 cases was recorded. As of April 11, CHP had recorded 39 confirmed cases this year, all of which were imported cases.

     “The public should maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel. The public are reminded that eliminating breeding sites for mosquitoes and avoiding mosquito bites are key to preventing dengue fever. The public may refer to the CHP’s pages on vector-borne diseases and tips for using insect repellents, and also the health education resources on mosquito control at the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department’s website, for details,” the spokesman said in an appeal to members of the public.

     The Plan has been uploaded to the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/govt_preparedness_and_response_plan_for_dengue_fever_en_201904.pdf). read more

     The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) said today (April 18) 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 30 persons received measles vaccination at the airport vaccination station as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 8 236.

     From tomorrow (April 19) to April 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:
 

Venue:	Multi-function Room, HKIA Tower (Level 5, Terminal 2)
Hours:	April 19 to 28 10am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm

     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 next Tuesday to Thursday (April 23 to 25). The blood test service will be suspended from Friday to Monday. Forty blood samples have been collected today. The DH will notify the participants individually of the serology results.

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

Venue:	South side before the Immigration Hall at Level 3 of Terminal 2 (non-restricted area)
Hours:	April 23 to 25 9am to 1pm

     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. read more

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements this Sunday (April 21) to facilitate a public event to be held in Tai Po.      The following roads will be closed from 1pm to 4pm: – Southbo… read more

     Correctional officers at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre today (April 18) intercepted a male remand person in custody smuggling suspected dangerous drugs into the centre by concealing them inside his body.   &nbs… read more