The latest test results of an 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 2) 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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Parainfluenza Virus Type 2 in a male ward for severe intellectual disability, the spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital gave the following update today (January 2):
 
     One more 28-year-old patient in the ward presented with respiratory symptoms. An appropriate viral test was arranged for the patient and the test result was positive for Parainfluenza Virus Type 2. The patient concerned is being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, January 2, 2018 is 104.5 (down 0.3 against Monday's index).

     A man who went missing in Cheung Sha Wan was located.

     Pan Jieguang, aged 78, went missing after he was last seen at MTR Cheung Sha Wan Station on December 30, 2018 morning. His family made a report to Police on the same day.
      
     The man was located in a bus station on Aldrich Street yesterday (January 1) afternoon. He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will hold a dog inoculation campaign at various fishing ports in Hong Kong. Fishermen can have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and microchipped and the licences renewed.
 
     AFCD mobile vaccination teams will visit the following fishing ports according to the schedule below:
 

 
     The half-yearly dog inoculation campaign was launched in 1980 with the aim of providing a licensing renewal and rabies vaccination service for dogs kept by fishermen who work on board fishing vessels most of the time. The vaccination teams will visit the fishing ports from 10am to 3pm. A fee of $80 will be charged for each dog. To date, more than 7 300 vaccinations have been given to dogs on fishing vessels.
 
     An AFCD spokesman said that the service is one of the proactive measures to prevent rabies, a fatal disease that is transmitted to humans from animals. Dogs on board vessels that have visited overseas countries may have come in contact with other animals carrying diseases, making them more susceptible to rabies infection.
 
     "Although Hong Kong has been free from animal rabies since 1987, we must remain vigilant to prevent any possible outbreak," the spokesman said.
 
     Under the Rabies Ordinance, all dogs aged over five months must be vaccinated against rabies, licensed and microchipped. Dogs have to be revaccinated against rabies and their licences have to be renewed at intervals not exceeding three years. Dog owners who fail to do so are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000.