The Acting Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, convened an inter-departmental meeting this afternoon (August 20) to listen to the latest situation report and risk assessment by the Department of Health (DH), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Hospital Authority (HA) with regards to one confirmed local dengue fever case yesterday (August 19) and the mosquito control work in Wong Tai Sin and on Cheung Chau.
 
     Dr Chui said, "The Government will stay highly vigilant to contain the risks of the spread of dengue fever, and is very concerned about the new case yesterday. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH is currently conducting epidemiological investigations. In addition, the prevention of secondary spread of dengue fever as well as the carrying out of anti-mosquito measures by members of the public are equally important and both indispensable."
 
     He said, "The eradication of adult mosquitos, including those infected, can effectively lower the risks of dengue fever transmission. In respect of Cheung Chau, despite the numerous shrubs and hence difficulties in eliminating mosquito breeding problems, the government departments will spare no effort in conducting intensive mosquito control work on Cheung Chau. Members of the public should also carry out anti-mosquito measures themselves."
 
     In view of the ongoing investigation into the local case of dengue fever announced by the DH yesterday, the FEHD immediately stepped up targeted mosquito prevention and control work at the relevant districts in accordance with the established mechanism, and deployed staff to carry out inspections as well as prevention and control work including conducting fogging operations to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes, applying larvicides, clearing stagnant water and disused articles and conducting grass cutting to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds in areas within a 500-metre radius of the residences of the patients and the places visited by them during the incubation period. The FEHD also collected samples of Aedes albopictus for virus testing with a view to identifying the infection source of the dengue fever cases.
 
     Apart from two health talks held today, the CHP and the FEHD will hold a health talk at 11am on Thursday (August 23) at 1/F of Cheung Chau Municipal Services Building to deliver health advice. Moreover, members of the public can understand more about the details of the local cases and their geographical distribution at the dengue fever page on the DH's website.
 
     The HA has already activated the e-Dengue enhanced surveillance system to ensure real-time review of suspected cases and report to the CHP for necessary follow-up. In addition, the laboratory services under the seven hospital clusters have also been enhanced to provide rapid testing for dengue fever on a seven-day-a-week basis to facilitate clinical diagnosis. Mosquito control measures in public hospitals and clinics as well as their construction sites have been enhanced to eliminate every possible mosquito breeding site.
 
     The Government's inter-departmental Pest Control Steering Committee will again convene a special meeting tomorrow (August 21) to provide a platform for respective policy bureaux and departments to report to the Steering Committee the progress of anti-mosquito work in areas under their purview and better grasp the details of the latest cases, so as to enhance their anti-mosquito work and carry out corresponding measures immediately.
 
     As Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, the Government reminded members of the public to strengthen mosquito prevention and control measures at home by inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, scrubbing vases and pot plant saucers at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. Members of the public are also advised to keep drains free of blockage and fill up all depressions to prevent puddles from forming. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
 
      Members of the public who have been to Lion Rock Park are advised to apply insect repellent for 14 days after their last visit as a mosquito preventive measure to safeguard the health of their families and themselves. CHP hotline: 2125 1122.
 
      The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the dengue fever pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information.

    

     Police today (August 20) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Hung Hom. 

     Leung Siu-kai, aged 85, went missing after he was last seen at the junction of Cheung Ning Street and Lok Shan Road on August 16 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the next day (August 17). 

     He is about 1.6 metres tall, 50 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a long face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and black trousers.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542, or email to rmpu-kw-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     Police today (August 20) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Kowloon City.

     Yiu Chan-wa, aged 60, went missing after he left his residence on Man Wan Road on August 16 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the next day (August 17).

     He is about 1.76 metres tall, 68 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, white sports shoes and carrying a black backpack.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8038 or 9383 9622, or email to rmpu-kw-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
 

  

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the naming ceremony for the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences of the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) today (August 20):
 
Lester (Council Chairman of CityU, Mr Lester Huang), Simon (Chairman of Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr Simon Ip), Carlson (Chairman of the University Grants Committee, Mr Carlson Tong), Professor Kuo (President of CityU, Professor Kuo Way), Professor Warnick (Dean of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Professor Lorin Warnick), Professor Reichel (Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, CityU, Professor Michael Reichel), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. I am delighted to join you for this naming ceremony for the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Science of the City University of Hong Kong. Today we are celebrating an important milestone in our public health mission as well as our higher education vision, as this College is Hong Kong's first and only veterinary college.
 
     To establish a veterinary college is not a simple endeavour. Professor Kuo has described it as a 10-year long marathon by CityU. And it is achieved by innovative thinking and persistence as there were scepticisms expressed in various quarters, including within the Government, during the decade-long journey. We have to thank the CityU team for its perseverance, and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University for its trust and collaboration. I would also like to express gratitude to the Jockey Club Charities Trust for its generous donation of HK$500 million to CityU.
 
     CityU's new initiative in providing veterinary education in Hong Kong is indeed timely. According to the World Health Organization, 60 per cent of existing human infectious diseases are zoonotic, and at least 75 per cent of emerging human infectious diseases originate from animals. Issues such as virus and bacteria mutations, anti-microbial resistance and food-borne disease continue to present new challenges to the medical profession. These challenges are amplified by an increasing risk of disease transmission through cross-border travel and international trade, as well as rising population and density, placing even more pressure on public health.
 
     Good public health is the cornerstone of any safe and liveable city. This is particularly important for a dense city like Hong Kong with large numbers of people movement. Therefore safeguarding public health is a top priority for my Government. We fully embrace the internationally advocated concept of "One Health" in planning and implementing our policies and measures to safeguard public health from a holistic perspective involving veterinary and medical professionals. Our respect for the One Health concept and our vigilance in public health have borne fruit. For well over a decade, Hong Kong has remained free from many globally significant and potentially deadly zoonotic diseases, most notably rabies, avian influenza and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). But the recent local incidents of dengue fever have reminded us of the importance of vigilance.
 
     As regards the veterinary profession, Hong Kong has all along adopted an open regime, welcoming the best veterinarians trained in overseas universities to come to practice here. Undoubtedly, their contributions have helped to keep deadly zoonotic diseases at bay. But there is no room for complacency. CityU is now blazing a trail with the establishment of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences to create a centre of excellence in veterinary and biomedical education. The College has launched Hong Kong's first bachelor programme in veterinary medicine to build a local pool of expertise alongside that of overseas veterinary surgeons. The first cohort of veterinary students embarked on their journey last September.
 
     Training highly skilled professionals requires world-class academic and clinical facilities. To this end, CityU will establish a 12-storey One Health Tower as an educational and research base for veterinary medicine and life sciences to complement the College's clinical facilities, livestock farms and veterinary diagnostic laboratory. I am sure that with CityU's commitment to this new initiative, coupled with well-qualified academic staff and excellent teaching facilities, the College will produce graduates who measure up to veterinarians trained in other renowned institutions round the world.
 
     CityU's vision and initiative would not have succeeded without the generous support from the Jockey Club Charities Trust. Naming the College as the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Science is indeed appropriate. Looking ahead, the Jockey Club One Health Tower will not only provide the necessary space for students' learning and research work, but will also serve as a platform for collaboration between veterinary and biomedical science under the One Health paradigm.
 
     It is also fitting that the Jockey Club will be a beneficiary of CityU's initiative, as the graduates of the College would likely be amongst the targets for recruitment when you enlarge your own pool of veterinary expertise. So this is going to be a win-win result for all.
 
     Last but not least, I thank the University Grants Committee (UGC) for its expert advice to the Government and CityU on the proposal to introduce a publicly funded bachelor programme in veterinary medicine in Hong Kong. Carlson has just reminded me that this is only a recommendation to the Government, and as you know the Government does not always endorse the recommendations of the UGC. But on this occasion, I am happy to say that we are willing and happy to endorse the UGC's recommendation. I look to the UGC Chairman that the UGC will continue to work closely with CityU to review the progress of the College.
 
     I wish the College, its management, teachers and students a great success and look forward to seeing the first batch of locally trained veterinary surgeons graduate in five years' time.
 
     Thank you very much.

    

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, visited the Government Logistics Department today (August 20) and met with its management and staff of various grades to learn more about their work and the challenges confronting them.

     Accompanied by the Acting Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Brian Lo, Mr Law first met with the Director of Government Logistics, Miss Mary Chow, and directorate staff to get an update on the Department's work in the provision of logistics support services to government bureaux and departments, which covers procurement and supplies, transport operation and management, and printing services.

     Mr Law then toured the Printing Unit and the Finishing Unit of the Printing Division to learn more about the printing, binding and delivery of various types of publications for bureaux and departments, including government forms and gazettes as well as the Policy Address and Budget publications.

     While visiting the Unallocated Store of the Storage and Distribution Section of the Supplies Management Division, Mr Law was briefed on the storage and delivery of essential and emergency items for bureaux and departments.

     Colleagues of the Land Transport Division showed Mr Law a new electric van for the government fleet, who said he was pleased to learn that subject to operational requirements the Department would give priority to environment-friendly vehicles when replacing vehicles in the government fleet. This measure will help to reduce pollutant emissions and enhance energy efficiency. 

     Mr Law also met with staff representatives of various grades at a tea gathering to exchange views on matters that concern them. He encouraged colleagues to continue to provide cost-effective and timely logistical support services for various bureaux and departments.