Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (February 2) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.

     The case involves a 6-year-old boy with good past health, who has presented with fever, cough and runny nose since January 31 and developed convulsion yesterday (February 1). He was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital for medical attention yesterday and was admitted. He was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital today for further management.
 
     His nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy. He is now in a serious condition.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had not received seasonal influenza vaccination for the current season and had travelled to Shenzhen during the incubation period. His parents developed upper respiratory tract infection symptoms recently and have sought medical attention. Both are in a stable condition and no hospitalisation is required.
 
     The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.
  
     “While the percentage that tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses among the respiratory specimens received by the CHP’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch has slightly decreased in the past week, we expect that the local influenza activity may remain at an elevated level for some time. 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. read more

     Hong Kong Customs today (February 2) arrested two salesmen of a ginseng and dried seafood shop in Mong Kok suspected to have applied a false trade description in the sale of Chinese Cordyceps, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that salesmen of a ginseng and dried seafood shop in the district claimed that the Chinese Cordyceps was selling at a specific price. After the goods were ground, the salesmen revealed that the Chinese Cordyceps was priced per mace. The price was 10 times different from the expected.

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested two men, aged 25 and 57.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs inspection and enforcement will be stepped up with the coming ahead of the Lunar New Year.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to purchase products from reputable shops. Consumers should also be cautious about the unit price and ask for more information, including the total price of the goods selected, before making a purchase decision.

     Under the TDO, any person who in the course of any trade or business applies a false trade description to any goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

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

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 2) reported two suspected cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The cases are detailed below:
 

Sex	Male	Male
Age	20	58
Affected area involved	Dubai, United Arab Emirates	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
High-risk exposure	Camel ride	Camel ride
Hospital	Queen Elizabeth Hospital	Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Condition	Stable	Stable
MERS-Coronavirus preliminary test result	Negative	Negative

     “Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise 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 Coronavirus (MERS-CoV),” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP’s surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for 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 pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization’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 2019 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display is scheduled to be held at 8pm on the second day of the Lunar New Year (February 6) over Victoria Harbour.
 
     A total of 23 888 firing shells will be discharged in the display from three barges in a 23-minute extravaganza consisting of eight scenes.
 
     The event is co-ordinated by the Home Affairs Bureau and sponsored by Shimao Group and supported by the Friends of Hong Kong Association.
 
     Highlights of the fireworks display will include the display of the number “8” and golden ingots in the first scene to symbolise a prosperous year to come, as well as the display of pig noses and Saturn rings alongside the theme song of local comics character McDull in the second scene, wishing people all the best in the Year of the Pig. Strobes and waterfall-like effects in the fourth scene, “When I fall in love”, will create a romantic ambience, sending wishes to all lovers for the Valentine’s Day that follows the Lunar New Year. The fireworks display will reach its climax in the last scene with the firing of 10 seven-inch shells featuring brocade crowns and purple pistils simultaneously in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
 
     The display can be seen from many vantage points on both sides of the harbour including Tsim Sha Tsui, the Mid-levels, Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay.
 
     To maximise enjoyment of the display, spectators are invited to tune in to Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 4 (FM 97.6 to 98.9) for synchronised music.
 
     People are also urged to help keep public areas clean and to show respect for public property. They are also urged to show consideration in order to make the event a safe one.

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     Shopping centres under the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) are setting up festival decorations to welcome the Year of the Pig, and a variety of promotion activities will be organised for shoppers to enjoy and celebrate the Lunar New Year.
 
     The pig represents luck, prosperity and wealth in Chinese culture. The HA will hold a series of celebration activities on February 14 (Thursday), February 16 (Saturday) and February 17 (Sunday) under two themes, “Precious Pretty Pigs” and “Piggy Pigs Party”.
 
     Precious Pretty Pigs events will be held at:
 
     – Ching Long Shopping Centre, Kai Tak
     – Choi Tak Shopping Centre, Kwun Tong
     – On Tat Shopping Centre, Kwun Tong
     – Nam Shan Shopping Centre, Sham Shui Po
     – Yau Lai Shopping Centre, Yau Tong
     – On Kay Commercial Centre, Ngau Tau Kok
     – Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre, Kwai Chung
     – Mei Tin Shopping Centre, Sha Tin
 
     “There will be carnivals, free snacks, lion dances and tours of the God of Wealth for visitors to enjoy,” a spokesman for the HA said today (February 2).
 
     “In the afternoon of February 16, there will be artists performances at Ching Long Shopping Centre and Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre including singing and games to celebrate the Lunar New Year,” he added.
 
     Piggy Pigs Party events will be held at:
 
     – Ping Shek Estate Commercial Facilities, Kwun Tong
     – Hoi Lai Shopping Centre, Shamshuipo
     – Kwai Chung Shopping Centre, Kwai Chung
     – Siu Hong Shopping Centre, Tuen Mun
     – Yan Tin Shopping Centre, Tuen Mun
     – Tin Yan Shopping Centre, Tin Shui Wai
     – Shui Chuen O Plaza, Shatin
 
     There will be games booths, free snacks, lion dances, tours of the God of Wealth and redemption of gifts on a first-come, first-served basis.

     “In the afternoon of February 16, there will be variety shows at Kwai Chung Shopping Centre and Shui Chuen O Plaza by artists,” said the spokesman.
 
     Moreover, in the afternoon of February 17, there will also be well-known artists performances at Domain, the HA’s regional shopping centre in Yau Tong, which is decorated in the theme of a Festive Jubilee Royal Garden. Go and join the fun – don’t miss it!
 
     In addition, an official opening ceremony was held in the HA’s On Tat Shopping Centre, Kwun Tong, in mid-January. Many residents participated in activities including games booths, workshops on pinwheel-making and lucky draws.
 
     On Tat Shopping Centre has two wings – north and the south – with a total lettable floor area of about 4 500 square metres. It has a total of 40 shops including a Chinese restaurant, a fast food restaurant, restaurants, a supermarket, household utensils stores, convenience stores, medical clinics, self-service banks and education and cultural centres.
 
     “Currently, all shops have been leased out, providing shopping and service facilities to cater for the daily needs of residents,” the spokesman said.
 
     The spokesman added that to encourage visits to HA shopping centres, free parking subject to spending requirements is provided to shoppers at Domain and Yau Lai Shopping Centre, Yau Tong. Details of free parking are available at the shopping centres.

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