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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 5) investigating four additional cases of measles infection.

​     As at 4pm today, one case involving a worker at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) was recorded. The case involves a 20-year-old woman with good past health, who developed fever since April 2 and rash since April 3. She sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) at United Christian Hospital on April 3 and was admitted for treatment. A laboratory test of her respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. She has been in a stable condition and reported to have measles vaccination. She had no travel history during the incubation period or the communicable period.
 
     Meanwhile, the CHP is investigating three other cases of measles infection. The second case involves a 20-year-old female healthcare worker with good past health, who developed fever since March 31 and rash since April 3. She consulted a general practitioner (GP) on April 1. She attended the AED at Tin Shui Wai Hospital on April 4 and was transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital for admission and treatment on the same day. A laboratory test of her respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. She has been in a stable condition and reported to have measles vaccination. She had no travel history during the incubation period or the communicable period. The CHP will work closely with the Hospital Authority on the source investigation and contact tracing.

     The third case involves a 36-year-old man with good past health, who developed headache since March 30, fever since March 31 and rash since April 2. He consulted a GP on April 1 and another GP on April 2 and attended the AED at Prince of Wales Hospital on April 3 and was admitted for treatment. A laboratory test of his respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. He has been in a stable condition. His measles vaccination history is unknown. He had travelled to Turkey and Tunisia during the incubation period but had no travel history during the communicable period.

     The fourth case involves an 14-month-old baby boy with good past health, who developed fever, cough and rash since April 2. He was taken to the AED at North Lantau Hospital on April 3 for medical attention and was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for admission and treatment on April 4. 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 or the communicable period.

     Except the case involving a healthcare worker, according to the other three patients, they did not have contact with measles patients during the incubation period.

     The home contacts of all the patients have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance.

​     Upon notification of the cases, the CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. Investigations are ongoing. The public places the patients 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 21 persons received measles vaccination at the vaccination stations as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 7,919. 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 2,873 enquiries.

     From tomorrow to next Friday (April 6 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:
   

Venue:	Multi-function Room, HKIA Tower (Level 5, Terminal 2)
Hours:	April 6 to 12 10am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm

     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 next Monday 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 today to Sunday (April 5 to 7).

     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 8 to 12 10am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm

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     In response to enquiries on today’s (April 5) media report that the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) has not located a Register of Electors in relation to the 2016 Legislative Council General Election, the REO gives the following reply:

     The REO is conducting a thorough search for the Register of Electors of a polling station in Kwai Tsing in the 2016 Legislative Council General Election. The case has also been filed to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data.

     The Register of Electors contains the name, sex, address, Hong Kong Identity Card number, number of ballot papers entitled by individual elector of about 8 000 electors assigned to the polling station. If an elector casts his/her vote in that election, a line across his/her name and Hong Kong Identity card number was also placed.

     “There has been no information so far showing any leakage of the relevant information. The REO apologises for the distress to concerned electors caused by the incident,” a spokesman for the REO said.

     “We are trying our best to look for the concerned Register of Electors and will make announcement of the result of search at once,” the spokesman added.

     According to the Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (Legislative Council) Regulation, election documents must be retained for at least six months from the date of the election to which they relate. The documents must be destroyed thereafter, unless directed by an order of court in proceedings relating to an election petition or criminal proceedings. The Registers of Electors for the 2016 Legislative Council General Election are kept for the on-going investigation by law enforcement agency, while ballot papers of that election have been destroyed in accordance with the above law. read more

     The Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band (HKYSB) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s Music Office (MO), together with US percussionist Dr Erik Forst and five vibrant MO percussionists, will present a delightful and colourful band programme entitled “Architecture of a Dream” at the Band’s anniversary concert to be held at 3pm on May 5 (Sunday) in the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall.
 
     Under the batons of MO instructor Lee Sing-wan and Guest Conductor Pak Wing-heng, the HKYSB will perform diverse band repertoire including Jenkins’ “American Overture for Band” and Mackey’s “Hymn to a Blue Hour”. As the Marimba guest soloist, Dr Forst will perform the Hong Kong premiere Kevin Bobo’s “Architecture of a Dream” with the Band.
 
     The Band will play Daughtrey’s lively and colourful music piece “Black Rainbow” in collaboration with six percussionists, namely Dr Forst, MO instructor Tsang Shun-han and MO members Danny Ho, Sunny Ho, Victor Leung and Jovi Lo. The Band will also present Reed’s “La Fiesta Mexicana” to illustrate Mexico’s joyful and festive music that can be heard when attending masses and carnivals. The concert will conclude with Galante’s “The Last Centaur”.
 
     The HKYSB was formed in 1978 with the aim of nurturing young musicians and arousing greater interest in band music in Hong Kong. The Band currently has 70 members and recruits annually by open audition. It has performed in Hong Kong and overseas, winning much acclaim.
 
     Tickets for the concert are priced at $55, $75 and $95 and available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk), with half-price concessions for full-time students, people with disabilities and their minders, senior citizens aged 60 and above and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For ticketing enquiries, please call 3761 6661. For programme enquiries, please call 2796 7523 or 2582 5311 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 5) received notification of a human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Gansu from the National Health Commission, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.

     The male patient from Jiuquan, aged 82, has been hospitalised for management and his condition is serious now. This is the first case reported in the Mainland this year.

     “Travellers to the Mainland or other affected areas must avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. They should be alert to the presence of backyard poultry when visiting relatives and friends. They should also avoid purchasing live or freshly slaughtered poultry, and avoid touching poultry/birds or their droppings. They should strictly observe personal and hand hygiene when visiting any place with live poultry,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Travellers returning from affected areas should consult a doctor promptly if symptoms develop, and inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment of potential diseases. It is essential to tell the doctor if they have seen any live poultry during travel, which may imply possible exposure to contaminated environments. This will enable the doctor to assess the possibility of avian influenza and arrange necessary investigations and appropriate treatment in a timely manner.

     While local surveillance, prevention and control measures are in place, the CHP will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments.

     The CHP’s Port Health Office conducts health surveillance measures at all boundary control points. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks on inbound travellers. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up.

     The display of posters and broadcasting of health messages in departure and arrival halls as health education for travellers is under way. The travel industry and other stakeholders are regularly updated on the latest information.

     The public should maintain strict personal, hand, food and environmental hygiene and take heed of the advice below if handling poultry:
 

• Avoid touching poultry, birds, animals or their droppings;
• When buying live chickens, do not touch them and their droppings. Do not blow at their bottoms. Wash eggs with detergent if soiled with faecal matter and cook and consume the eggs immediately. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling chickens and eggs;
• Eggs should be cooked well until the white and yolk become firm. Do not eat raw eggs or dip cooked food into any sauce with raw eggs. Poultry should be cooked thoroughly. If there is pinkish juice running from the cooked poultry or the middle part of its bone is still red, the poultry should be cooked again until fully done;
• Wash hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, before handling food or eating, and after going to the toilet, touching public installations or equipment such as escalator handrails, elevator control panels or door knobs, or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing; and
• Wear a mask if fever or respiratory symptoms develop, when going to a hospital or clinic, or while taking care of patients with fever or respiratory symptoms.

     The public may visit the CHP’s pages for more information: the avian influenza page, the weekly Avian Influenza Report, global statistics and affected areas of avian influenza, the Facebook Page and the YouTube Channel. read more

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 Es… read more