Author Archives: hksar gov

     Police today (August 28) arrested a 53-year-old man in suspected connection with a murder case happened in Western Division, in which his 53-year-old wife died.      Police received a report on August 20 … read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating today (August 28) one 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 involves a 47-year-old female patient with underlying illnesses, who developed fever, headache, myalgia and arthralgia since August 10 and skin rash since August 15. She was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital on August 19 and was discharged on August 23. She has all along been in a stable condition.

     Her blood sample collected on August 19 tested positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to dengue virus but was negative by antigen and genetic testing. Thus, a second blood sample was taken and there was a four-fold increase in the antibody titre against DF virus when compared with the first specimen. The case is classified as a confirmed local case today.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient lives in Tsui Chuk Garden in Wong Tai Sin. The patient had no travel history during the incubation period. She had visited Lion Rock Park during the incubation period but could not recall history of mosquito bite there. The patient recalled mosquito bite near the car park in Tsui Chuk Garden.

     Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic and have been put under medical surveillance.

     “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 and Sai Wan 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 27th local case recorded this year. Excluding the local cases, as of noon today (August 28), 61 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. read more

        The Department of Health (DH) today (August 28) drew public attention to a safety alert issued by local supplier Roche Diagnostics (Hong Kong) Limited concerning specific lots of its blood coagulation test strips, namel… read more

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (August 28) issued invitation letters to 65 residential property management companies to invite their participation in a territory-wide campaign to support elderly persons (including those suffering from dementia and hidden elders) and their needy carers by releasing their front-line property management staff to receive training so that they can render assistance to elderly persons and their carers.

     Hong Kong, with a population of elderly perons aged above 65 exceeding 1.1 million, is moving towards an era of ageing population. In the foreseeable future, the ageing trend will continue. In this regard, the SWD is going to launch in October a territory-wide campaign featuring a series of activities and publicity events. The campaign aims to raise public awareness and enlist community support to needy elders and their carers so as to help them age in place and relieve their carers’ stress.

     One of the major target groups of the campaign is the front-line staff of residential property management companies, who have frequent contacts with elderly persons and their carers. They would be able to observe elderly residents’ daily routine and easily identify changes in their physical condition. To encourage property management companies to fulfil their corporate social responsibility by actively participating in the campaign, the SWD issued invitation letters to 65 residential property management companies today to seek their support by releasing their front-line staff to receive training so that they can identify the needs of elderly persons and their carers and offer suitable assistance.

     The training course will be provided by non-governmental organisations commissioned by the SWD. Each training session of around 20 to 45 minutes is free of charge. The training covers knowledge about dementia, symptoms of hidden elders and information of community support services. read more

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (August 28) extended his congratulations to Hong Kong cycling athlete Lee Wai-sze on winning a gold medal in the Women’s Track Keirin in the 18th Asian Games, being held in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia.
 
     Mr Lau said, “Lee Wai-sze has demonstrated the demeanour of a great athlete and defended her title. We share her joy as she won glory for Hong Kong again. I hope she can achieve further good results in the remaining competitions.”

     The Hong Kong team has so far won 32 medals, namely four gold medals, 12 silver medals and 16 bronze medals, at this Asian Games. The list of other medals won from August 26 to today are as follows:

Today

Silver medal
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Cycling (Track): Men’s Team Pursuit
Cheung King-lok, Ko Siu-wai, Leung Chun-wing, Leung Ka-yu and Mow Ching-yin

Bronze medal
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Table Tennis: Women’s Team
Doo Hoi-kem, Lee Ho-ching, Li Ching-wan, Ng Wing-nam and Minnie Soo
 
August 27

Silver medal
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Bridge: Men’s Team
Lai Wai-kit, Lau Pik-kin, Mak Kwok-fai, Ng Chi-cheung, Wan Siu-kau and Zen Wei-peu
 
Bridge: Super Mixed Team
Pearlie Chan, Ho Hoi-tung, Ho Wai-lam, Charmian Koo, Flora Wong, Yeung Hoi-ning
 
Badminton: Mixed Doubles
Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet
 
Cycling (Track): Women’s Team Sprint
Lee Wai-sze, Li Yin-yin and Ma Wing-yu
 
August 26
 
Bronze medal
—————-
Athletics: Women’s 100m Hurdles
Lui Lai-yiu read more