Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 8) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Hong Kong Customs has mounted a special operation codenamed "Tornado" since the end of last year against unfair trade practices by fitness centres. Until yesterday (April 7), 14 persons were arrested for suspected of having engaged in aggressive commercial practices in the course of selling fitness service, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO). Around $1.14 million is involved in the service contracts.

     Customs officers earlier received information alleging that staff members of three fitness centres in Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei imposed undue influence and used aggressive commercial practices when selling fitness services to customers, forcing them to procure fitness club membership.

     Subsequent to an in-depth investigation, a series of enforcement actions were taken, resulting in the arrest of 14 persons as of yesterday. The arrested persons comprise two directors and 12 salespersons of the fitness centres. Aged between 21 and 27, they have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     The operation is still ongoing.

     Hong Kong Customs today (April 8) reminds again that traders must comply with the requirements of the TDO. Consumers are also reminded to procure services from reputable shops. Before making a purchase decision, consumers must not give their identity cards, credit cards or automated teller machine cards to salespersons. They must also refuse firmly to sign any paper if they do not fully understand the service and price details, or if they do not intend to make a purchase.

     Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence of engaging in aggressive commercial practices if harassment, coercion or undue influence is used to impair consumer's freedom of choice or conduct, causing the consumer to make a transactional decision. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Stressing its priority given to consumer rights protection and zero tolerance for unfair trade practices, Hong Kong Customs pledges that it will continue its stringent enforcement actions against such practices by fitness centres.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     The Housing Department (HD), in collaboration with tenants' associations of Wah Fu Estate, local non-profit-making organisations and schools, launched the project "A Cultural Journey through Half-Century Wah Fu" today (April 7) in Wah Fu Estate, Aberdeen.
 
     Wah Fu Estate had its official opening ceremony in September 1968 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The cultural project aims to promote joint efforts among the HD, Wah Fu Estate residents and local groups to conserve the invaluable historic and cultural elements of the Estate during the course of its future redevelopment.
 
     The chief designer of Wah Fu Estate, Dr Donald Liao, was invited to officiate at the project's launch ceremony with the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing) and Director of Housing, Mr Stanley Ying, together with representatives from 19 co-organisers of the project and the Southern District Council. Dr Liao was the first Director of Housing from 1973 to 1980.
 
     At the ceremony, Mr Ying said, "For redeveloping Wah Fu Estate in future, we are committed to engaging Wah Fu residents and the local community to work with us for building a new Wah Fu, and endeavouring to preserve its unique historic and cultural elements.
 
     "The views of Wah Fu residents, stakeholders and local groups are very important to us, not only in helping to smoothen the redevelopment process, but also in preserving the unique historic and cultural values of Wah Fu."
 
     The two Directors of Housing also exchanged views on the development of public housing during the session "Half-Century Dialogue between Two Directors". Dr Liao remarked that Wah Fu Estate was the first public housing estate developed as a town in itself and was his favourite estate.
 
     The HD is collecting residents' views on the redevelopment project, including through a survey among all residents and stakeholders. Immediately following the launch ceremony today, the HD held the first community engagement workshop. About 100 residents and participants from 12 local groups joined the workshop to express their views on the Wah Fu redevelopment plan. The HD will make reference to their opinions when formulating the redevelopment plan. Similar workshops will be held in future.
 
     To enhance communication with Wah Fu residents and local groups, the HD has launched a newsletter, "On the Road to Redevelopment", through which it will update residents from time to time on news of the redevelopment project. The first edition of the newsletter was published early this month and has been distributed to all Wah Fu Estate tenants.
 
     Today's activity also featured a series of cultural performances ranging from Cantonese opera to a busking presentation by a group of youngsters. In addition, the Wah Fu Today and Yesterday carnival was also held to exhibit the nostalgic and cultural facets of Wah Fu Estate.

        

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 7) investigating an additional case of measles infection.

​     As at 4pm today, one case, which involves a worker at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), was recorded. The 30-year-old man with good past health developed fever on April 4 and rash since April 5. He consulted a general practitioner and then attended the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) at North Lantau Hospital (NLH) on April 4. He attended the AED of the NLH again on the following day and was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for admission and treatment. A laboratory test of his respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. He has been in a stable condition and reported to have measles vaccination. He had no travel history during the incubation period and the communicable period.

    According to the patient, he did not have contact with measles patients during the incubation period. The home contacts of the patient have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance.

​     Upon notification of the case, the CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. Investigations are ongoing. The public places the patient visited during the communicable period are listed in the appendix.

     "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 have visited the public places listed in the appendix during the period should observe if they develop relevant symptoms, such as fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes in seven to 21 days (the medical surveillance period). 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 said.

     Upon confirmation of measles outbreak, the DH has implemented control measures at the airport including vaccination and blood testing services. A total of 10 persons received measles vaccination at the vaccination stations as at 6 pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 7 947. A hotline (2125 1122) has been set up for public enquiries and operates from 9am to 5.45pm daily. As of 5pm today, the hotline had received a total of 2 896 enquiries.

     From tomorrow to Friday (April 8 to 12), the vaccination quota for the measles vaccination station at the airport remains at 500 doses daily. Vaccination to eligible airport staff will be provided to the following target groups:

(1) 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 with the provision of a measles serology test service for airport staff to identify those who need the measles vaccination. From tomorrow to Friday (April 8 to 12), the DH will provide blood test service daily to around 100 airport staff who were born in or after 1967, with priority to be given to staff belonging to target group (1). The blood test service is suspended from April 5 to 7.

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

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 7) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.

     The case involves a 14-year-old girl with underlying illnesses, who has presented with fever and runny nose since April 1. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Kwong Wah Hospital for medical attention on April 5 and was admitted for management. She was later transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of the hospital for further management.
 
     Her nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia and myocarditis. She is now in a serious condition.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had not received seasonal influenza vaccination for the current season and had no travel history during the incubation period. Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far.
 
     The CHP's investigations are ongoing.
  
     "The latest surveillance data showed that the local influenza activity has further decreased to a level approaching the baseline. We urge the community to continue heightening its vigilance against seasonal influenza. As young children are particularly affected in this influenza season, we appeal to parents who have not yet arranged vaccination for their children in this season to do so as soon as possible to strengthen their personal protection," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Apart from children, people aged 50 to 64 years, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses who have not yet received influenza vaccination this season are also urged to get vaccinated as early as possible to prevent seasonal influenza as it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body after vaccination. Medical advice should be sought promptly if influenza-like symptoms develop so that appropriate treatment can be initiated as early as possible to prevent potential complications. Parents and carers are reminded to render assistance in prevention, care and control for vulnerable people.

     Besides receiving seasonal influenza vaccination as early as possible for personal protection, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses. For more information, please visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly Flu Express.