Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 1) investigating an influenza A outbreak at a kindergarten-cum-child care centre in Wong Tai Sin District, and again reminded the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene against influenza.

     The outbreak involves 13 boys and eight girls aged 2 to 6 who have developed fever, cough and runny nose since February 20. Twenty of them sought medical attention but none required hospitalisation. All patients are in a stable condition. The respiratory specimens of two students tested positive for influenza A upon laboratory testing.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit and advised the school to adopt necessary infection control measures against respiratory tract infections. The school has been placed under medical surveillance.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, “To prevent outbreaks of influenza and other respiratory infections, it is of prime importance that students with fever, regardless of the presence of respiratory symptoms, should not be allowed to attend school. They should seek medical advice and avoid school till 48 hours after the fever has subsided. Schools should also measure and record students’ body temperature properly.”

     Schools are reminded to follow the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases on preventive and control measures as well as management of outbreaks, which should be reported to the CHP for prompt follow-up.

     “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,” the spokesman 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. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 1) closely monitoring 19 additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from February 1 to 28. The CHP again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit.
 
     According to the WHO, among the 17 male patients and two female patients, aged 24 to 94, 13 had underlying illnesses, nine had exposure to camels and consumed camel milk, two had contact with previously confirmed patients, and three had passed away.

     “We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “As countries in the Middle East, particularly the KSA, continue to report MERS cases from time to time, travellers should refrain from going to farms, barns or markets with camels and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry. Most of the cases reported in the Middle East had history of exposure to camels, consumption of camel milk or contact with other MERS patients,” the spokesman said.
 
     “Scientific evidence showed that camels are reservoirs for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Camels infected with MERS-CoV may not show any signs of infection. Infected animals may shed MERS-CoV through nasal and eye discharge, faeces, and potentially in their milk and urine. The virus may also be found in the raw organs and meat of infected animals. Therefore, the best protection is to practise good hygiene and avoid direct contact with all of these,” the spokesman added
 
     From time to time, suspected MERS cases reported to the CHP for investigation involved patients with history of contact with camels in the Middle East. The CHP strongly advises travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS page of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the WHO’s latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP’s health advice on MERS. read more

     The latest test results of the opening-up investigation in the second stage of the holistic assessment strategy for the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project (as at April 1) are now available at the Highways Department’s website for the SCL project (www.hyd.gov.hk/en/road_and_railway/railway_projects/scl/index.html) for reference by the public. read more

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (April 1) that the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department (GDPSD) will introduce new management measures on the quota system of Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars, including relaxation of application criteria and strengthening quota management, starting from April 15 (Monday). Applications accepted or approved before the implementation of the new measures will be processed based on the original terms.
 
     To foster the economic and social development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, after deliberations by the Hong Kong and Guangdong governments, the scope of eligibility for Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars will be further expanded by relaxing application criteria. The measures relating to Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars include:
 

1. Relaxing the investment and tax requirements in Guangdong Province: The investment threshold will be waived and the taxation threshold in mountainous and non-mountainous areas will be aligned. Enterprises with a tax amount of at least RMB150,000 in Guangdong Province in the past year will be eligible to apply for one quota place;
2. Relaxing the donation requirements in Guangdong Province: Individuals whose charitable contributions amount to an accumulative sum of RMB3 million and social organisations with charitable contributions amounting to an accumulative sum of RMB10 million will be eligible to apply for one quota place; and 
3. Expanding the scope of eligibility to cover talents: Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering who are currently working in Hong Kong, current vice-chancellors of the universities in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong, Taiwanese or foreign holders of A Superior Talent Cards will be eligible to apply for one quota place.

 
     In addition, the GDPSD will introduce measures in strengthening quota management with a view to combating speculation and illegal use of quota places. The relevant measures include:
 

1. Imposing a quota validity period: A one-year validity period will be set for quota places under the investment category and the validity period for quota places under the categories of talents and qualified office holders will be set at five years. Applicants may apply for renewal upon expiry, given that they meet the application criteria;
2. Imposing restrictions on change of vehicles and drivers: For the quota under the investment category, holders are prohibited from changing vehicles within three years and changing drivers within one year, unless under special circumstances;
3. Revoking quota places: If holders or users under the quota are found to use their cross-boundary private cars for illegal immigration, illegal car hiring or smuggling activities, or to be involved in transfer, sale or hire of quota places, or to obtain quota places by deception or bribery, the quota place concerned will be revoked.

 
     For details of the new measures, please visit the GDPSD’s website at gdga.gd.gov.cn/jgj/index.html. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 1) investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at a primary school in Fanling, and hence reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against AGE.

     The outbreak involves 10 boys and nine girls aged 10 to 13, as well as a female staff member, who have developed vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain since March 25. Among them, two sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All patients have been in a stable condition.

     Officers of the CHP conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff of the school concerning proper and thorough disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The school has been put under medical surveillance.

     The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive measures against gastroenteritis:
 

• Ensure proper personal hygiene;
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, after using the toilet or after changing diapers;
• Wear gloves when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, and wash hands afterwards;
• Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water). Wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Pay attention to food hygiene;
• Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;
• Drink boiled water; and
• Do not patronise unlicensed food premises or food stalls.

     The public may visit the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Health Education Hotline (2833 0111) for more information. read more