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

     The 5-year-old boy, with good past health, has presented with fever, cough, runny nose, abdominal pain and vomiting since October 27. He was admitted to St Teresa's Hospital on October 30 and was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Kwong Wah Hospital for further management on the next day. He is now in a stable condition.
 
     His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with sepsis.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient did not receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) for the current season and had no travel history in the incubation period. His home contacts remain asymptomatic so far. The CHP's investigations are ongoing.
 
     The Vaccination Subsidy Scheme 2018/19 and the Government Vaccination Programme 2018/19 were launched on October 10 and 24 respectively. A spokesman for the CHP urged eligible persons to receive subsidised or free SIV in a timely manner to better protect themselves in the coming winter influenza season.
 
     "Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. Given that influenza vaccines are safe and effective, all persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications, are recommended to receive SIV for personal protection," the spokesman said.
 
     "Based on past epidemiological patterns, the winter influenza season usually occurs from January to March/April each year. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, we urge eligible persons to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. Vaccination among family members is key to protecting their personal and family's health."
 
     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
 

• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub as an effective alternative;
• Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     For more information, please visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly Flu Express.

     The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, visited Wong Tai Sin this afternoon (November 2) to get an update on the district's latest developments.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of the Wong Tai Sin District Council, Mr Li Tak-hong, and the District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Ms Annie Kong, Mr Chan visited the Choi Hung Community Centre for Senior Citizens of Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service, where he was briefed on the operation and facilities of the centre. He also chatted with the elderly to learn more about their daily life at the centre.

     Mr Chan then met with Wong Tai Sin District Council members to exchange views on housing and transport issues in the district.

     For the last part of the visit Mr Chan toured Mei Tung Estate, where he was briefed by Housing Department officers on the redevelopment programme for Mei Tung House and Mei Po House as well as the re-housing arrangements for affected tenants.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital made the following announcement today (November 2):

     Four patients (aged 24 to 69) in a female ward for severe intellectual disability presented with respiratory symptoms since October 29. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Parainfluenza Virus Type 3. The patients concerned are 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 cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (November 2) that 40 bags (a total of 400 kilograms) of dried egg white powder from Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan were illegally imported into Hong Kong, breaching the relevant Food Safety Order and the ordinance governing the import of eggs. None of the product concerned has entered the market. The CFS is following up on the case.
 
     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS inspected a consignment of food imported from Japan and found the above-mentioned product from Ibaraki Prefecture therein was not accompanied with a radiation certificate, breaching the relevant Food Safety Order. The Centre took a sample of the product concerned for testing of the radiation level, and no radiation has been detected. In addition, the product concerned was imported without a health certificate and the written permission from the FEHD, breaching the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (Cap 132AK). The product concerned has not entered the market and has been marked and sealed by the CFS. "
 
     According to the Order, the import of all chilled or frozen game, meat and poultry, all poultry eggs and all live, chilled or frozen aquatic products from five Japanese prefectures, namely Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba and Gunma, to Hong Kong, must be accompanied by a certificate issued by the competent authority of Japan certifying that the radiation levels do not exceed the guideline levels."
 
     According to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (Cap 132AK), any person who imports game, meat, poultry or eggs should produce a health certificate issued by the place of origin or obtain prior permission in writing from the FEHD. An offender is liable on conviction to a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action, including informing the Japanese authorities concerned of the incident. Prosecution will be instituted against the importer concerned should there be sufficient evidence. Investigation is ongoing.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, today (November 2) visited Central and Western District, where he toured facilities supporting persons with disabilities and met with District Council members.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of the Central and Western District Council (C&WDC), Mr Yip Wing-shing, and the District Officer (Central and Western), Mrs Susanne Wong, he first went to Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Lok Kwan District Support Centre in Sai Ying Pun to learn more about training and care services for persons with disabilities. Comprising occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers and tutors of the centre, the multi-disciplinary team arranges skills training for persons with different levels of disabilities. Therapists design assistive tools based on their needs and household settings to facilitate their living in the community. In addition, the centre provides psychological counselling to persons with challenging behaviour or autism using sand play therapy as well as day respite services to help relieve the carers' pressure.

     Dr Law then proceeded to Parkside Residence and Parkside Integrated Service Team operated by St James' Settlement Rehabilitation Services to visit its hostel for persons with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities as well as its supported hostel and residential respite service for persons with intellectual disabilities. The operator provides social, rehabilitation and self-care training to equip persons with intellectual disabilities with necessary skills for independent daily living and self-care ability.

     The Chief Executive's 2018 Policy Address sets out initiatives to enhance community support for families of persons with disabilities, including setting up five additional District Support Centres for Persons with Disabilities and strengthening rehabilitation training and service in order to enhance their service capacity and quality, and providing speech therapy services for ageing service users and those with severe disabilities to assist them in dealing with swallowing problems.

     Noting that many persons with disabilities have expressed wishes to live at home as far as possible in the first stage (Scoping Stage) public engagement exercise of the Hong Kong Rehabilitation Programme Plan (RPP), Dr Law said the Policy Address this year has already announced that the Government would strengthen a range of community support services before the completion of the new RPP. This will enable persons with disabilities to continue to live with their families in the community and at the same time ease the stress of their family members. The Rehabilitation Advisory Committee will launch the next stage of public engagement activities by the end of 2018 to formulate recommendations of the new RPP together with stakeholders.

     After the visit, Dr Law attended a meeting with C&WDC members to elaborate on the labour and welfare policy initiatives in the Policy Address and exchange views with members on issues of concern.