The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (April 15) that no additional case of measles infection has been recorded as at 4pm today.
 
     Separately, on the measles case notified earlier by the health authority of Japan as announced yesterday, according to the latest information provided by the Japanese health authority, the patient took the World Dream cruise from April 7 to 9 travelling from Shenzhen to Naha, Okinawa. The patient, who developed fever on April 8 and rash on April 10, disembarked in Naha on April 10 and was diagnosed with measles on April 12. Initial investigations revealed that 118 passengers from Hong Kong were also on board. The CHP's contact tracing is ongoing and close communication will continue to be maintained with the Japanese health authority for further information.

     "The incubation period (the period from infection to appearance of illness) of measles ranges from seven days to 21 days. Members of the general public who had been on board the World Dream cruise from April 7 to 10 should observe if they develop relevant symptoms such as fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes until May 1 (the end date of medical surveillance for contacts). If symptoms arise, they 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," a spokesman for the DH advised. 

     Regarding measles control measures implemented at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), a total of 20 persons received measles vaccination at the airport vaccination station as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 8 160.

     From tomorrow (April 16) 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: 
   

     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 provide the blood test service to about 200 airport staff who were born in or after 1967 daily from Tuesdays to Thursdays (April 16 to 18 and 23 to 25). The blood test service will be suspended from Fridays to Mondays.

     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 3 160 enquiries have been received so far.

     The 4th Internet Economy Summit (IES), themed "Digital Economy Redefines Our Future", opened today (April 15). Over 70 renowned experts, industry leaders and government officials from overseas, the Mainland and Hong Kong are gathering at the two-day Summit to share their insights on global technology trends and business adoption in spurring the growth of the Internet economy. An attendance figure of more than 2 000 is expected for the Summit over the two days.
      
     There are six thematic forums this year, focusing on how data will fuel innovations in different technology sectors including FinTech, artificial intelligence (AI), smart manufacturing and cyber security as well as in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Emphasis is also put on the exchange of strategies and best practices of businesses.
      
     The IES today started with the opening remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam. The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; the Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Victor Lam; Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China Mr Yang Xiaowei; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Ms Lu Xinning; the President of the China Internet Development Foundation, Ms Ma Li; and Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee Mr Chen Xinhua also officiated at the opening ceremony.
      
     Today's IES programme featured two thematic forums, the Visionary Forum and the Chambers Forum. At the Visionary Forum, speakers enlightened the audience on the ways businesses and the community can stay ahead and resilient amid the technology disruptions. The General Counsel of Amazon Web Services, Mr Bob Kimball, talked about how cloud service is going to help business bloom, and the President of the Alibaba Global Business Group, Ms Angel Zhao, and the Vice President of Asia Pacific, Twitter, Ms Maya Hari, shared examples of how technology solutions can escalate business value chains to a new level and the power of real-time public conversations in driving economic development and solving tangible real-world problems respectively.
      
     The Government is actively taking forward various initiatives to build Hong Kong into a smarter city. Estonia is well known for deploying technology innovations to transform the nation into a digitally integrated and seamlessly connected country. The Global Affairs Director of Government Chief Information Officer Office of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia, Ms Sandra Särav, spoke to the audience today on Estonia's experience, especially in leveraging new and emerging technologies to maximise value in government processes.
      
     Other keynote speakers at the Visionary Forum included Professor Steven Weber from the UC Berkeley School of Information; the Chief Representative Officer, Greater China and Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, Mr David Aikman; and the EY Global Artificial Intelligence Leader, Dr Nigel Duffy.
      
     The Chambers Forum in the afternoon presented to the participants keynote speeches by representatives from Microsoft and Sino Group. Four panel discussion sessions were also staged, covering the new opportunities brought about by open data; practical tips for small and medium-sized enterprises to enhance logistics agility and operations with new technologies like AI, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT); and innovation in the Greater Bay Area.
      
     The Summit will continue tomorrow (April 16) with the FinTech Forum, in which the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will give opening remarks. Prominent industry experts will dig into areas including virtual banking, InsurTech and blockchain.
      
     Three parallel sessions, namely the AI Forum, the Enterprise 4.0 Forum and the Cybersecurity Forum, will be held in the afternoon with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute as co-organisers respectively. This special arrangement is to prepare the participants for the new digital era when AI and smart manufacturing become the key technologies to transform enterprises and businesses, and revolutionise the way people live and work. Also, with IoT and data-related technologies widely adopted these days, cyber security is of paramount importance to tackle more frequent and sophisticated attacks. The dedicated forum will help participants gain a better understanding of the cyber security ecosystem and tactics to embrace related challenges.
      
     The Summit is not only an event for participants to learn from the heavyweights but also a precious chance for attendees to collaborate. A networking reception was held today. Participants can also join the various investor matching sessions and meet with representatives of venture capital funds tomorrow to look for new funding opportunities.
      
     The IES was organised by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, with the China Internet Development Foundation as the supporting organisation. Details of the Summit are available on the event website www.ieconomysummit.hk.
    

            

     Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, at a media session today (April 15) at the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex on the loss of a Register of Electors relating to the 2016 LegCo General Election:

Reporter: Secretary, do you think you also have a responsibility to monitor this kind of incident that should not have happened? Why don't you need to step down for this incident?

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: First of all, we need to conduct a thorough investigation to find out what actually has happened, whether it is a systemic issue or there are insufficient guidelines or protocols, or whether there are problems in implementing the relevant guidelines and protocols. We need to find out the problems, the cause of the issues and who should be accountable or responsible. As I said, if there was deliberate cover-up or human error, we would, of course, follow strictly the existing disciplinary mechanism.  

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (April 15) that two fresh beef samples were found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative which is not permitted to be used in fresh meat. The CFS is following up on the cases.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS took the above-mentioned fresh beef samples from two stalls in Quarry Bay Market and Lai Wan Market for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the samples contained sulphur dioxide at respective levels of 145 parts per million (ppm) and 1 020 ppm."

     According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD), it is an offence to add sulphur dioxide to fresh or chilled meat. The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and six months' imprisonment.

     Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried fruits, pickled vegetables and meat products such as sausages and grilled burgers, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Nonetheless, individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. This preservative is of low toxicity. As it is water soluble, most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headache and nausea.

     The spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law and not to sell fresh or chilled meat adulterated with sulphur dioxide. Members of the public should purchase meat from reliable market stalls or fresh provision shops. They should avoid buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red and maintain a balanced diet to avoid malnutrition or excessive exposure to chemicals from a small range of food items.

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the cases and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 15) investigating two outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infection (URI) at a kindergarten-cum-child care centre (KG/CCC) in Kowloon City and a residential child care centre in Causeway Bay, and appealed to members of the public and staff of institutions to stay alert and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene.

     The outbreak at the KG/CCC involved eight boys and 12 girls aged 3 to 6 who have developed URI symptoms including runny nose, cough and sore throat since March 18. All of them sought medical attention. Among them, three required hospitalisation and two have been discharged upon treatment. All patients are now in stable condition.
 
     The respiratory specimens of the three children admitted to hospital tested positive for human metapneumovirus upon laboratory testing.
 
     The outbreak at the residential child care centre affected 15 boys and 16 girls, aged 2 months to 21 months, who have developed similar URI symptoms since April 5. All of them sought medical attention. Among them, 13 required hospitalisation and five of them were discharged following treatment. All patients have been in a stable condition. The respiratory specimens of 11 children admitted to hospital tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus upon laboratory testing.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted site visits and advised the centres to adopt necessary infection control measures against respiratory tract infections. The centres have been placed under medical surveillance.
 
     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
 

• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     Members of the public, particularly children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases, should wear a face mask and consult a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection.