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     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, April 15, 2019 is 103.4 (same as last Saturday’s index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, April 13, 2019 is 103.4 (down 0.2 against last Friday’s index). read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 15) 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 7 to 13, three community-acquired LD cases were reported. They are:
 

1. A male patient, aged 59 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Hop Kwai House, Kwai Chung Estate, Kwai Tsing;
2. A male patient, aged 46 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Quanzhou, Fujian; and
3. A male patient, aged 53 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Block 10, Tsui Chuk Garden, Wong Tai Sin.

     “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 13, 18 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

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (April 15) the April 2019 issue of the “Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics” (HKMDS).

     Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains two feature articles entitled “Hong Kong’s Balance of Payments, 2009 to 2018” and “Statistics on Innovation Activities in Hong Kong, 2013 to 2017”.

“Hong Kong’s Balance of Payments, 2009 to 2018”

     The Balance of Payments (BoP) records economic transactions between Hong Kong and the rest of the world. BoP represents a comprehensive set of statistics, covering trade in goods and services, investment and income. These statistics on cross-border transactions are useful for monitoring financial flows between Hong Kong and other economies, thus providing an objective basis for gauging financial soundness and policy formulation.

     This feature article highlights the salient features of Hong Kong’s BoP as well as the latest trends from 2009 to 2018.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Balance of Payments Branch, C&SD (Tel: 3903 6979; email: bop@censtatd.gov.hk).

“Statistics on Innovation Activities in Hong Kong, 2013 to 2017”

     Innovation is a key impetus to economic growth and development towards a knowledge-based economy. Innovation activities encompass research and development activities, product and process innovation activities as well as organisational and marketing innovation activities which are not directly related to technological advancement but help enhance competitiveness and business performance.

     Statistics on innovation activities are useful in shedding light on the diffusion of innovation activities in an economy and can offer insight into possible development areas. This feature article aims at portraying the latest development of innovation activities in Hong Kong, with separate analyses for research and development, technological innovation and non-technological innovation activities.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Science and Technology Statistics Section, C&SD (Tel: 3903 7282; email: stb1@censtatd.gov.hk).

     Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 140 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest free of charge at the website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp460.jsp?productCode=B1010002).

     Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Dissemination Section of C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk). read more

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (April 15) announced that the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for March rose to 1.1 per cent from 0.1 per cent in February, indicating that the infestation of Aedes albopictus in the areas surveyed was not extensive. Nevertheless, the FEHD reminded the public to carry out effective prevention and control measures against mosquitoes early before the onset of the rainy season. Relevant government departments have also commenced the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations today to enhance anti-mosquito work throughout the territory.
      
     Among the 57 areas surveyed last month, positive ovitrap indices were recorded in 28 areas, ranging from 0.8 per cent to 6.6 per cent, with Cheung Chau ranked the highest. As for the port areas, the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for March rose slightly to 0.01 per cent from zero in February.
      
     “Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF) and Zika virus. In view of the 29 local DF cases recorded in Hong Kong last year and the high prevalence of DF in neighbouring areas, and that Hong Kong has a warmer and wetter spring this year which is conducive to large-scale mosquito breeding within a short period of time, relevant government departments have enhanced co-operation to eliminate potential breeding places for mosquitoes ahead of the rainy season and commenced the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations today to run until the end of the rainy season so as to start the fogging operations specifically at risky areas to eradicate adult mosquitoes. The community should also remain vigilant and take effective mosquito prevention and control measures together,” an FEHD spokesman said.
      
     “The major anti-mosquito measures of the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations include carrying out fogging in the scrubby areas within a 100-metre radius around residences weekly to kill adult mosquitoes; carrying out inspection, removing stagnant water, applying insecticide and disposing of abandoned water containers weekly to prevent mosquito breeding; and trimming of grass to discourage resting of the adult mosquitoes on the site. The FEHD and relevant government departments will continue the above mosquito prevention and control work in areas under their purview, and strengthen publicity and education campaigns in the coming months. In addition, the FEHD has also started the second phase of its Anti-mosquito Campaign today which lasts for nine weeks until June 14. The district offices of the FEHD will target areas which have drawn particular concern, such as public markets, cooked food centres and hawker bazaars, single-block buildings, streets and back lanes, common parts of buildings, village houses, construction sites, vacant sites and road works sites, and step up publicity at those places as well as mosquito prevention and control work at relevant public places. The FEHD will, after the second phase of the campaign, conduct territory-wide thematic mosquito prevention and control special operations so as to enhance the effectiveness of the campaign,” he added.
      
     The department’s Pest Control Inspection Teams have also stepped up inspection of construction sites and enforcement action against mosquito breeding. This year (as at April 7), the FEHD had instituted 26 prosecutions for mosquito breeding found in relevant premises under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), comprising 25 cases involving construction sites and one case involving other premises.
      
     In order to keep the public abreast of the latest situation of mosquito infestation and assist them to take timely mosquito prevention and control measures, the FEHD is releasing two additional phased Area Ovitrap Index (AOI) for Aedes albopictus before the announcement of the monthly AOI and the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus. The FEHD will follow the established practice of notifying relevant government departments of the aforementioned indices so that they can carry out targeted mosquito prevention and control work promptly to strengthen the anti-mosquito efforts.
      
     The spokesman added that as Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, members of the public should carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing all the water in vases and scrubbing the inner surface as well as removing the water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. He also advised the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
      
     In addition, rural areas and the vicinity of shrubby areas are the natural habitats for mosquitoes, other insects and animals. Members of the public living in rural areas may install mosquito screens on windows and doors if necessary. Those staying in the natural environment should follow appropriate personal protective measures against mosquitoes, such as avoiding staying in the vicinity of shrubby areas for a long time, wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and applying DEET-containing insect repellent. Members of the public are reminded to make reports to the government departments via 1823 if mosquito problems are detected.
      
     The spokesman reiterated that effective mosquito control requires the sustained effort of all parties concerned. The community must work together with the Government to carry out effective mosquito control measures.
      
     He also reminded travellers to take the following precautionary measures when visiting areas where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent during the Easter holidays:
           
* Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes and trousers;
* Use insect repellents over exposed parts of the body when outdoors; and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when a room is not air-conditioned.
           
     Travellers returning from these places should seek medical advice if they have symptoms such as fever, severe headache or muscle and joint pain. They should also inform their doctor of their travel history.
      
     The ovitrap indices for Aedes albopictus in different areas and information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:      Tenders to be held on April 23:    Tender date : April 23, 2019 Paper on offer : EF Bills … read more