The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (February 1) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and an outbreak of influenza A at a residential child care centre in Causeway Bay.

     The severe paediatric case involves a 15-month-old boy with good past health, who has presented with fever and cough since January 30 and developed convulsion yesterday (January 31). He was taken to Union Hospital for medical attention yesterday and was referred and admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital for management on the same day.
 
     His nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy. He is now in a stable 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. His mother developed upper respiratory tract infection symptoms recently and has sought medical attention. She is in a stable condition and no hospitalisation is required. His other home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far.
 
     The outbreak of influenza A at the residential child care centre in Causeway Bay affected 13 boys and nine girls, aged 5 months to 4, who have developed fever, cough and runny nose since January 11. All of them sought medical attention. Among them, 10 required hospitalisation and five of them were discharged following treatment. All patients have been in a stable condition. The respiratory specimens of three children tested positive for influenza A upon laboratory testing.

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

     The Transport Department (TD) today (February 1) reminded the public that to facilitate tram track renewal work at Hennessy Road, parts of the traffic lane of Hennessy Road westbound near Percival Street will be temporarily closed in stages from about 10am next Friday (February 8) to 6am on February 13 (Wednesday).
 
     To facilitate the above work, New World First Bus (NWFB) route Nos. 2A, 2X, 8 and 8P (to Wan Chai North) will be diverted via Leighton Road, Morrison Hill Road and Tin Lok Lane starting from about 10am on February 8 to 6am on February 13, before resuming their original routings. In connection with the above bus diversion, the bus stop of NWFB route Nos. 2A, 2X and 8P outside Hysan Place and the bus stop of NWFB route No. 8 opposite Hong Kong Mansion will be temporarily relocated to Leighton Road outside the Post Office Recreation Club.
 
     Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on-site to guide motorists.
 
     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of the above road sections will be relatively busy. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion. Members of the public are advised to be alert to the latest traffic news or the department's website (www.td.gov.hk).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 1) investigating a suspected outbreak of food poisoning at an institution in Southern District, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     The outbreak involved 25 males aged 19 to 41 who developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea about eight to 23 hours after having lunch at an institution in Southern District on January 29.

     Two of them sought medical attention but none required hospitalisation. All affected persons are in a stable condition.

     "We have alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs today (February 1) arrested a salesman of a medicine shop suspected to have applied a false trade description in the course of selling a proprietary medicine, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO). 

     Customs officers conducted a test-buy operation at a medicine shop in Tsuen Wan today. A salesman was suspected to have applied a false trade description on a brand of medicine by stating it was a particular brand of medicine in the course of selling medicines. Customs officers then arrested the 25-year-old man. 

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation. 

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure products at reputable shops.

     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).

     The Transport Department (TD) today (February 1) reminded the public that to facilitate the tram track renewal works at Belcher's Street, parts of the middle lane of Belcher's Street near Kwan Yick Street will be temporarily closed from about 10am next Friday (February 8) to 11.59pm on February 12 (Tuesday).
 
     During the above works period, all vehicles exceeding 5 metres in length will be prohibited from turning left from Belcher's Street onto Kwan Yick Street. Moreover, the Kennedy Town Tram Terminus at Catchick Street outside the Merton Tower 2 will also be suspended from about 10am on February 8 (Friday) to 1.30am on February 13 (Wednesday). Affected passengers should proceed to the westbound tram stop at Catchick Street near Davis Street (No. 104W) to take the eastbound tram services.
 
     Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on site to guide motorists.
 
     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of the above road sections will be relatively busy. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion. Members of the public are advised to be alert to the latest traffic news or the department's website (www.td.gov.hk).