Results for the Indigenous Inhabitant Representative By-election held today (October 7) are as follows:
 

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (October 7) extended his congratulations to Hong Kong swimming athlete Tang Wai-lok and wheelchair fencing athlete Yu Chui-yee on winning gold medals in Men's 200m Freestyle S14 and Women's Foil Individual Category A respectively at the Indonesia 2018 Asian Para Games. 

     Mr Lau said, "Tang Wai-lok has defended his title and Yu Chui-yee has performed marvellously. It is encouraging to know that they have won the first two gold medals for the Hong Kong team in this Asian Para Games. I hope fellow Hong Kong athletes can continue to excel in the upcoming events and win glory for Hong Kong."    

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 6) seized about 2.1 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.2 million at Hong Kong International Airport.

     A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Panama via Netherlands yesterday. Upon examination of his hand-carry rucksack, Customs officers found the suspected cocaine concealed inside false compartments of the rucksack. The 63-year-old man was then arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     A man who went missing in Sau Mau Ping was located.

     Cheung Shun-king, aged 77, went missing after he left his residence in Upper Ngau Tau Kok Estate on October 4 morning. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man was located on How Ming Street in Kwun Tong this morning (October 7). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 7) reported a suspected case 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 of visit. The case is detailed below:
 

     "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.