Upon the advice of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (August 17) that the Lion Rock Park in Wong Tai Sin District is temporarily closed for a month with effect from today. The re-opening will be subject to further monitoring and review of the situation by relevant departments. 

     As patients of several confirmed local cases of dengue fever had been to Lion Rock Park before onset, the CHP considered the park as one of the possible major sources of infection and therefore advised temporary closure of the park to prevent the spread of infection. The LCSD, in collaboration with relevant government departments, will conduct thorough cleaning and mosquito control operations in the park and its vicinity during the closure period.

     Police today (August 17) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Yau Ma Tei.

     Wong Wai-ching, aged 58, went missing after she was last seen at Jordan Road, Yau Ma Tei yesterday (August 16) afternoon. Her friend made a report to Police on the same day.

     She is about 1.65 metres tall, 54 kilograms in weight and of normal build. She has a round face with yellow complexion, short straight black hair. She was last seen wearing a T-shirt with white and green stripes, black pants and white slippers.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman 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.

  

     The Director of Immigration, Mr Tsang Kwok-wai, today (August 17) officiated at the Launching Ceremony of Accredited Training Programmes of the Immigration Department (ImmD) at the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development (ISITD), marking a milestone in the immigration training programmes.
      
     To further enhance the professionalism of ImmD and to promote the continuous learning and personal development of members of the Immigration Service, ISITD took the initiative to perform preparatory work last year. After undergoing tender evaluation, the Open University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education was selected to co-organise induction and in-service training programmes for the members at the grade of Immigration Assistant. The programmes were later successfully accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF).
      
     Upon completing the induction training programmes under the HKQF, the newly recruited Immigration Assistants will be issued with the Professional Diploma in Immigration Services and Control, which is recognised as meeting the accreditation standards at Level 4 (equivalent to the level of an Associate Degree or a Higher Diploma). In addition, Senior Immigration Assistants and Chief Immigration Assistants who have completed the relevant in-service training programmes will receive the Professional Certificate in Preparatory Management in Immigration Services and Control and the Professional Certificate in Frontline Management in Immigration Services and Control respectively. The former is recognised as meeting the accreditation standards at Level 4 (equivalent to the sub-degree level) while the latter meets the standards at Level 5 (equivalent to the Bachelor Degree level).
      
       The ISITD is the first organisation in Hong Kong to provide professional immigration-related programmes. Mr Tsang said that the accredited training programmes can promote the lifelong learning spirit of members of the Immigration Service and enhance their competitiveness. He encouraged all the graduates to uphold the values of the department by staying vigilant in the face of an ever-changing environment and maintaining the professionalism of the Immigration Service.

     A total of 154 graduates, comprising 27 Chief Immigration Assistants, 24 Senior Immigration Assistants and 103 Immigration Assistants, attended today’s launching ceremony. ImmD will continue to apply for various in-service training programmes to be included in the Qualifications Register.

      

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 17) investigating an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) at a child care centre in Kowloon City District, and again urged the public, schools and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     The outbreak affected 21 young children, comprising six boys and 15 girls aged 7 months to 2 years, who have developed fever, oral ulcers, rash and vesicles over hands or feet since August 6. All of them sought medical attention and one required hospitalisation. All patients are in a stable condition.
 
      The rectal swab of an affected child tested positive for enterovirus (EV) upon laboratory testing.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the centre and advised the management on necessary infection control and preventive measures. The centre has been placed under medical surveillance. Investigations are ongoing.

     "HFMD is common in children while adult cases may also occur. It is usually caused by EVs such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     "HFMD occurs throughout the year. A summer peak usually occurs from May to July. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact," the spokesman added.

     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:
 

• Maintain good air circulation;
• Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted;
• Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
• Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.
   

     The public may visit the CHP's page on HFMD and EV71 infection and Public Health Advice for Play Facilities for more information.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited on fraudulent websites and phishing email, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the websites concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the websites should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.