Police today (January 4) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Kwun Tong. Chow Yue-wen, aged 78, went missing after he was last seen at MTR Kwun Tong Station y… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 4) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.
The case involves a 7-year-old boy with good past health, who has presented with fever, cough and runny nose since December 29 and convulsion on January 3. He attended North District Hospital for medical advice on January 3 and was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit of Prince of Wales Hospital on the same day for further management. He is now in a stable condition.
His nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with meningoencephalitis.
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 younger sister had upper respiratory tract infection (URI) symptoms recently and was admitted to Union Hospital for treatment. She is now recovered and was discharged. His father and grandmother also had URI symptoms and sought medical attention but no hospitalisation is required. Three of them are all in a stable condition. His other home contact has remained asymptomatic so far.
The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.
“Hong Kong has entered the 2018-19 winter influenza season. We anticipate that local seasonal influenza activity will continue to rise in the coming weeks and remain at an elevated level for some time. Members of the public should remain vigilant for protection against influenza,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
“Particularly, children, people aged 50 to 64 years, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses who have not yet received influenza vaccination this season are 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. They should promptly seek medical advice 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,” the spokesman added.
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 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 January 4) 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 following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson for the Kowloon Hospital (KH) made the following appeal today (January 4) regarding an incident of an in-patient who absconded from the hospital: … read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 4) announced that a batch of prepackaged lemon juice concentrate produced in Italy was suspected to contain a preservative, sulphur dioxide, but it was not declared on the product’s food label. The CFS advised consumers who are allergic to sulphur dioxide to refrain from consuming the affected batch of the product. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Würzmittel mit Zitronensaft (lemon juice concentrate)
Product brand: Piacelli Citrilemon
Place of origin: Italy
Packing: 200 millilitres per pack
Best-before-date: July 14, 2020
“The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that the above-mentioned product was suspected to contain sulphur dioxide but undeclared on the food label. According to information provided by the RASFF, a local importer, Coils Electronic Co. Ltd. had imported the affected product into Hong Kong,” the spokesman said.
The CFS immediately contacted the importer concerned for follow up. Preliminary investigation found that importer had imported the affected batch of product which were on sale in its chain stores. The CFS has instructed the importer to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of product and initiate a recall. Members of the public may call the importer’s hotline at 3960 9349 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.
Sulphur dioxide is a water soluble preservative of low toxicity. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headache and nausea.
The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is on-going. read more