The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 30) that a carton of burdock, totalling ten kilograms, from Gunma Prefecture, Japan was illegally imported into Hong Kong. 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 abovementioned burdock product from Gunma Prefecture therein. It was not accompanied with a radiation certificate and an exporter certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)of Japan, breaching the relevant Food Safety Order. The product concerned has not entered the market and has been marked and sealed by the CFS. The Centre has taken a sample of the product concerned for testing of radiation level and no radiation has been detected.

     "According to the Order, the import of vegetables, fruits, milk, milk beverages and dried milk from four Japanese prefectures, namely Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba and Gunma, must be accompanied with radiation certificates and exporter certificates issued by the MAFF of Japan. The CFS conducts a radiation test on each consignment of Japanese food import, and requires importers not to sell the products until the test result turns out to be satisfactory. The aforementioned illegal import was detected by the CFS during inspection and the product concerned did not enter the market. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the CFS' gate-keeping work."

     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.

     Police today (August 30) appealed to the public for information on a fatal traffic accident in Wong Tai Sin on June 13 in which a 76-year-old woman died.

     At about 7.28pm that day, a public bus driven by a 69-year-old man was turning left from Lok Fu Bus Terminus to Wang Tau Hom East Road. The public bus reportedly knocked down the 76-year-old woman.

     Sustaining injuries to her head and limbs, the female pedestrian was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She was certified dead at 4.06pm on August 26.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon East is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 2305 7570 or 2305 7500.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 30) investigating an additional local case of dengue fever (DF) and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     The case is detailed below:
 

 
     "We are working closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to assess and prevent possible spread of infection. The FEHD's vector investigations, surveillance and control are ongoing. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "The CHP has provided information and locations of the residences and local movements of the local DF cases on the CHP's designated webpage for DF to facilitate handy access to information for the public," the spokesman said.

     The CHP appeals to members of the public not to visit Lion Rock Park during the closure period in order to prevent contracting DF. Scientific studies have shown that infected persons can transmit the virus to mosquitoes through mosquito bites even if they remain asymptomatic or before their onset of symptoms, leading to further spread of the disease. Hence, people who have visited Lion Rock Park are advised to apply insect repellent for 14 days after their last visit, and those with DF symptoms should seek medical advice as early as possible. Meanwhile, people who reside in or visit Cheung Chau should also be advised to apply insect repellent during their stay and continue applying for 14 days after their last day of stay to prevent infection and secondary spread.

     Persons who have been to the vicinity of Wong Tai Sin (particularly Lion Rock Park), Kwai Shing West Estate, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Cheung Chau (Hillside Road, Tsan Tuen Road, Fa Peng Road, San Hing Street, Cheung Chau Sai Tai Road, Lung Tsai Tsuen, Xavier House, Sai Wan Road, Tung Loi Court and Cheung Chau Peak Road) and Charming Garden with DF symptoms should call the CHP's hotline (2125 1122) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. The hotline operates from 9am to 5.45pm daily.

     "We have informed the Guangdong and Macao health authorities to alert them to the latest situation," the spokesman added.

     This is the 28th local case recorded this year. Excluding the local cases, as of noon today (August 30), 62 imported cases had been recorded in 2018. The cases were mainly imported from Thailand (26), the Philippines (12) and Cambodia (7).
 
     In the rainy season, the public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

 
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika Virus Infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.
 
     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the DF pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     As the Landslip Warning has been cancelled, the Home Affairs Department's Emergency Co-ordination Centre and the emergency hotline 2835 1473 have ceased to operate.

     The commencement notice of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (Co-location) Ordinance (Cap 632) will be gazetted tomorrow (August 31), stipulating that the Ordinance will come into operation on September 4, 2018, in order to dovetail with the preparatory works for the implementation of the co-location arrangement at the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL).

     Section 1(2) of the Ordinance provides that the Ordinance will come into operation on a day to be appointed by the Secretary for Transport and Housing by notice published in the Gazette. As stated by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to the relevant Bills Committee during the local legislative process, the HKSAR Government understands that the Mainland personnel need to conduct final preparatory works at the West Kowloon Station Mainland Port Area (MPA) prior to the commissioning of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL, such as ensuring that all requisite materials have been delivered to the MPA and familiarising themselves with the relevant operational procedures. The HKSAR Government needs to consider whether it would be necessary for the Ordinance to come into operation in a short period of time before the commissioning of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL, so as to ensure that the West Kowloon Station MPA can operate smoothly after the commissioning of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL.

     Upon detailed discussion with the Mainland, the Secretary for Transport and Housing decided to appoint September 4, 2018 as the day on which the Ordinance will come into operation to dovetail with the commissioning of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL in the same month. With effect from 00.00 on September 4, 2018, for the purposes of the application of laws and the delineation of jurisdiction in the MPA, the Mainland will exercise jurisdiction over the non-reserved matters as defined in the Ordinance in accordance with the Co-operation Arrangement between the Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Establishment of the Port at the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link for Implementing Co-location Arrangement and the laws of the Mainland. Personnel from the Mainland Authorities Stationed at the Mainland Port Area will also work in the West Kowloon Station MPA to make final preparations for the implementation of the co-location arrangement. As stated in the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on December 27, 2017, these personnel shall not enforce the law in any area outside the West Kowloon Station MPA.

     Starting from the same day (i.e. also with effect from 00.00 on September 4, 2018), the Hong Kong Port Area within the West Kowloon Station will also be declared, in accordance with the provisions of the Co-operation Arrangement, as a cross-boundary restricted area by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) by notice published in the Gazette pursuant to the laws of the HKSAR (i.e. Mass Transit Railway By-laws (Cap 556B)). The aforementioned notice to declare the cross-boundary restricted area will also be gazetted tomorrow.

     With the implementation of the Ordinance and the cross-boundary restricted area arrangement, persons who enter or leave the two port areas shall produce the cross-boundary restricted area permits issued by the MTRCL, and shall undergo clearance procedures of both sides. This arrangement will assist the clearance departments of both sides to better familiarise themselves with the actual operation of the West Kowloon Station Port in preparation for the formal commencement of operation of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL on September 23, 2018, and to conduct clearance procedures for passengers in a smooth manner, thereby unleashing the full benefits of the XRL in terms of speed and convenience.

     To enhance the public's understanding of the co-location arrangement, the HKSAR Government has produced a booklet entitled "Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link Co-location Arrangement – What You Need to Know" to inform the public on various matters requiring their attention as high-speed rail passengers or staff working within the MPA. The booklet is available at the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department and can be downloaded from the Transport and Housing Bureau's website (www.thb.gov.hk).