The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating today (August 16) three additional local cases 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 CHP is highly concerned about the recent seven local cases confirmed within a short period of time and has enhanced surveillance through various platforms. Tracing of source of infection is in full swing. We are also working closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to prevent the spread of infection," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The first case involves a 31-year-old male patient with good past health, who developed fever, myalgia and rash since August 9. He sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of Queen Elizabeth Hospital on August 15 and was admitted for treatment today. He has all along been in a stable condition and his blood sample tested positive for dengue virus serotype 1 upon laboratory testing.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient lives in Wing Yiu Street in To Kwa Wan. During the incubation period, the patient had travelled to Zhongshan in Guangdong, who also had visited the barbecue area at Lion Rock Park for barbecue. However, he did not recall any mosquito bites. This case is tentatively classified as a local case.

     His travel collateral and home contacts have remained asymptomatic and have been put under medical surveillance.

     The second case involves a 61-year-old female patient with good past health, who developed fever, malaise, cough, myalgia and rash since August 12. She sought medical attention at the AED of Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) on August 15 and was admitted for treatment today. She has all along been in a stable condition and her blood sample tested positive for dengue virus serotype 1 upon laboratory testing.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient lives in Tak Long Estate in Kai Tak. The patient had travelled to Shunde in Guangdong during the incubation period. She works at Lion Rock Park but did not recall any mosquito bites. This case is tentatively classified as a local case.

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

     The third case involves a 39-year-old female patient with underlying illnesses, who developed fever, headache and myalgia since August 11. She sought medical attention at the AED of KWH on August 16 and was admitted on the same day. She has all along been in a stable condition and her blood sample tested positive for dengue virus serotype 1 upon laboratory testing.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient lives in Portland Street in Yau Ma Tei. The patient had no travel history during the incubation period but had visited the barbecue area at Lion Rock Park for barbecue.

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

      "We are working closely with the FEHD to assess and prevent possible spread of infection. The FEHD's vector investigations, surveillance and control are ongoing. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Home Affairs Department have also been informed for follow-up. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing," the spokesman said.

     "In addition, the CHP will conduct site visit to Lion Rock Park to carry out active case finding tomorrow. The CHP has already conducted site visits to the first two patients' home and carried out relevant active case finding today, and will visit the third patient's home tomorrow for investigation. Besides, joint health talks will also be arranged with the FEHD near the residence of the cases," the spokesman said.

    Persons who have been to the vicinity of Wong Tai Sin (particularly Lion Rock Park) , Kwai Shing West Estate, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Hillside Road, Highland Park, Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground, Wing Yiu Street, Tak Long Estate and Portland Street with DF symptoms should call the CHP's hotline (2125 1122) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. The hotline operated from 6pm to 9pm on August 14 and has operated from 9am to 5.45pm daily since yesterday. As of 5pm today, 35 enquiries had been received.

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

     These are the fifth to seventh local cases recorded this year. Excluding the local cases, as of yesterday, 56 imported cases had been recorded in 2018, including 25 from Thailand, 10 from the Philippines and seven from Cambodia.

     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.

     Hong Kong Customs today (August 16) seized about 41.8 kilograms of suspected agarwood with an estimated market value of about $670,000 at Hong Kong International Airport.

     Customs officers intercepted a 31-year-old male passenger and a 51-year-old male passenger at the airport this afternoon. They arrived in Hong Kong from Jakarta, Indonesia. 

     During Customs clearance, the batch of suspected agarwood were found inside plastic bags in their check-in suitcase. The two men were then arrested.

     The cases were handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.

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

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Commission on Poverty:
 
     The "Be a Government Official for a Day" programme (the programme) successfully concluded today (August 16), following a  sharing session and certificate presentation ceremony held at the Central Government Offices, Tamar.
 
     Between July 16 and August 1, the 34 senior secondary students selected for participating in the programme had the opportunity to shadow respectively the three Secretaries and 13 Bureau Directors of the Government for a day to gain hands-on experience of the Principal Officials' work and a better understanding of the Government's operation. 
 
     At the sharing session, the students shared their experience and observations with their school principals, teachers, families, friends and the Principal Officials they shadowed.
 
     The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairperson of the Commission on Poverty, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, presented certificates of participation to students at the end of the sharing session.  He commended them for their active participation, allowing Principal Officials  to gain better understanding of the young generation's view on the work of the Government.  On the other hand, the young participants could make use of the one-on-one interactions with Principal Officials to find inspiration for planning and consolidating their development plans and targets in the future.  Mr Cheung stated that the programme provided a direct channel for senior government officials to communicate and exchange views with young people.  In light of the enthusiastic response and the positive experience gained in the programme this year, the Government would actively consider launching a new round of programme next year. 
 
     The programme is a new initiative launched by the Commission of Poverty under the "Life Buddies" Mentoring Scheme this year.  A total of 1 163 applications from students of more than 300 secondary schools were received.  An experienced non-governmental organisation was engaged to help selected students get prepared for the job shadowing beforehand and consolidate their experiences afterwards.  Details of the programme are available at the "Life Buddies" website (www.lifebuddies.hk/en) and social network page (www.facebook.com/lifebuddieshk).
 

          

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, Mr Yoshimasa Hayashi, at the Chief Executive's Office this afternoon (August 16).
 
     Welcoming Mr Hayashi's visit to Hong Kong again, Mrs Lam said that she was pleased to meet with him with both of them in different capacities today since they met in Hong Kong three years ago when Mr Hayashi was the then Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Noting that Hong Kong and Japan have been enjoying a close relationship, she said that Hong Kong has been Japan's largest export market for food and agricultural products in the past 10 years and the number of Hong Kong visitors to Japan hit a record high last year, with about 450 flights between the two places every week connecting Hong Kong and 15 destinations in Japan.
 
     Mrs Lam noted that the policy areas under Mr Hayashi, including education, culture, sports, science and technology, are areas which Hong Kong is committed to developing and actively exploring with other places for more collaboration. She said that she will visit Japan later this year and expressed the hope that the trip will foster further collaboration between Hong Kong and Japan, especially in gerontechnology, in which Japan has rich experience. She also welcomed more students from Japan to study in Hong Kong and encouraged Japanese scientific and research institutions to establish a presence in Hong Kong to seize together the opportunities brought about by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into an international innovation and technology hub.

  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 16) investigating a case of suspected food poisoning, and hence reminded the public to beware of vegetables containing calcium oxalate raphide.

     The female patient, aged 49, developed tongue pain and swelling, lip pain and swelling, epigastric pain and slurring of speech shortly after consuming a wild taro at home in Tuen Mun yesterday (August 15). She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital on the same day. She is now in a serious condition. The clinical diagnosis was suspected calcium oxalate raphide poisoning.

     Initial investigations revealed that the wild taro the patient had consumed was picked near her residence. The CHP's investigation is ongoing.

     Taro is a popular ingredient used to prepare various dishes and desserts. However, some plants look like taro but contain toxins which can cause food poisoning. Those containing calcium oxalate raphide (a needle-shaped crystal of the chemical) can injure the skin and mucous membranes and cause irritation, such as numbness and burning sensation of the tongue, mouth and lips, and swelling of the tongue and lips. Consumption of vegetables accidentally mixed with calcium oxalate raphide-containing plants may also cause food poisoning.

     Members of the public should:
 

• Not pick and consume wild plants;
• Purchase vegetables from reliable suppliers; and
• Remove any plants mixed with edible vegetables and wash them thoroughly before cooking and consumption.

     The public may visit the pages on Food Poisoning Related to the Giant Alocasia and Calcium Oxalate Food Poisoning of the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for more information and health advice.