The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 15) continuing the epidemiological investigations into the four local cases of dengue fever (DF) announced yesterday (August 14) and will enhance surveillance against suspected cases.
 
     The latest information revealed that apart from the 76-year-old female patient living in Wong Tai Sin who had visited Lion Rock Park, the 17-year-old male patient living in Kwai Tsing District also visited the baseball field there. Meanwhile, further laboratory investigation revealed that except for the 84-year-old female patient living in Cheung Chau, the genetic sequences of the virus from the other three cases are identical. Further investigation on the source of infection of the cases is under way.
 
     The CHP representatives attended an ad hoc meeting of the Hospital Authority (HA)'s Central Committee on Infectious Disease and Emergency Responses this morning to review the four local cases of DF and the latest situation of DF. To enhance surveillance, the CHP will collaborate with the HA to activate the e-Dengue electronic reporting platform as soon as possible to facilitate real-time monitoring of suspected DF cases.
 
     The CHP has issued letters to local doctors and hospitals to alert them to the latest situation of local DF and remind them to enhance surveillance. The CHP has also issued letters to schools and institutions to remind them to step up mosquito control and prevention measures. Separately, the CHP has also written to the Travel Industry Council to urge them to remind travellers to adopt proper personal protective measures during travel and take heed of proper measures after returning from endemic or epidemic areas.
 
     The CHP has also provided information and details of geographical distribution on the local DF cases concerned on the CHP's designated webpage for DF to facilitate handy access of information for the public.
 
     In addition, CHP officers have conducted questionnaire surveys for the four cases concerned. As of 5pm today, 112 questionnaires involving 427 persons had been collected. Among them, none reported DF symptoms. No abnormalities have been detected so far. The CHP's medical surveillance is under way.
 
     The CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department held health talks on DF in the afternoon today at Kwai Shing Community Hall, Cheung Chau Municipal Services Building and Chuk Yuen Estate Community Centre in Wong Tai Sin to deliver health advice. A total of 47 persons attended the talks. Separately, 23 persons attended the health talk conducted at the property management office of Highland Park yesterday.
 
     Persons who have been to the vicinity of Wong Tai Sin, Kwai Shing West Estate, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Hill Side Road, Highland Park and Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground 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 yesterday and will operate from 9am to 5.45pm from today. As of 5pm today, eight enquiries had been received.
 
     The public should call 1823 in cases 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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     In view of the latest confirmed local cases of dengue fever, the Hospital Authority (HA) Central Committee on Infectious Disease and Emergency Responses this morning (August 15) convened an ad hoc meeting, which was joined by representatives from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, to discuss the risk assessment and preparedness of public hospitals for the disease.
 
     "According to our risk assessment of the current situation, in view of the unusual situation of confirmation of four local cases within a short period and also because the possibility of new local cases cannot be ruled out, the HA has to maintain high vigilance and get prepared for the contingency response. Front-line healthcare staff will be reminded to identify patients early for timely diagnosis and treatment," the HA spokesperson said.
 
     At the meeting today it was agreed to implement the following enhanced measures to be prepared for the possible risk of an outbreak in Hong Kong:
 

• To activate the "e-Dengue" enhanced surveillance system tomorrow (August 16) to promptly review suspected cases and report them to the CHP for necessary follow-up;
• To strengthen co-operation with the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP on rapid testing of dengue fever to facilitate clinical diagnosis; and
• To step up mosquito control measures in public hospitals and clinics as well as their construction sites to eliminate every possible mosquito breeding site.

     The meeting today also confirmed to strengthen internal communication on the latest situation and enhanced measures to enable the front-line units of public hospitals to get well prepared for the contingency response measures for an outbreak of dengue fever.

     The spokesperson also appealed to members of the public who are residing in the vicinity of the four confirmed local cases and other travellers returning from affected areas to inform healthcare staff while seeking medical consultation at public hospitals and clinics. Furthermore, the public are also reminded to take measures on mosquito control including wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and applying insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body, and scrubbing and cleaning drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs.
 
     The HA will continue to closely collaborate with the CHP to monitor the situation of dengue fever infection in Hong Kong and to keep the general public and professionals updated on the situation and relevant information.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, and the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, accompanied by the Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr Lau Yip-shing, officiated at the Launching Ceremony of the Junior Police Call (JPC) Fight Crime Summer Camp at Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village today (August 15).

     With the theme of “Dream it. Live it”, the summer camp aimed to encourage JPC members to live their dreams. At the same time, the event also promoted fight crime messages among the participants.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee said that the JPC Scheme has devoted its efforts to promoting anti-crime messages. It continued to introduce new initiatives to enhance the leadership and communication skills as well as team spirit of JPC members. Its activities have been well received, resulting in the continuous expansion of the JPC Scheme. 

     After the ceremony, the officiating guests toured around the camp, visiting JPC members participating in various activities, such as E-sports demonstration, Cajón workshop and DIY “bubble tea” workshop.

     In addition, a series of life planning activities were staged in the summer camp to facilitate JPC members to explore their future career development, including a talk about the E-sports industry and sharing sessions by elite athletes and an illustrator.  

     Organised by the Police, the annual summer camp aims to enhance JPC members’ awareness of crimes and promote positive values through various activities. Some 1,200 JPC members took part in this year’s summer camp held from August 15 to 17. 

          

     The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, visited Kwai Tsing District today (August 15) to keep abreast of the provision of youth services in the district and met with Kwai Tsing District Council members.
      
     Accompanied by the Chairman of the Kwai Tsing District Council, Mr Law King-shing, and the District Officer (Kwai Tsing), Mr Kenneth Cheng, Ms Cheng visited the Youth Crime Prevention Centre run by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups to learn about the operation of the centre, which provides support services for young people aged 10 to 24 who have been arrested and under police investigation, victims of the cases and their families.
      
     During the visit, Ms Cheng learned that the centre offers preventive education, crisis intervention and assessment, and counselling services. She was also briefed on an online platform, Youth Law, which provides the public with information on juvenile crime prevention and support services available. 
      
     Ms Cheng then went to the Salvation Army Tai Wo Hau Children and Youth Centre, where she was introduced to services promoting the personal development of children and young people. She also exchanged views with several groups of youngsters joining summer activities in the centre. Ms Cheng said she was pleased to note that the centre serves as a neighbourhood location for connecting youngsters in the community and promoting their growth and development. 
      
     Before concluding her visit, Ms Cheng met with members of the Kwai Tsing District Council and exchanged views on issues of concern.   

     Police today (August 15) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tsuen Wan.  

     Leung Wa-kan, aged 55, went missing after he was la)st seen in a hostel on Tsuen King Circuit yesterday (August 14) morning. Staff of the hostel made a report to Police on the same day.  

     He is about 1.67 metres tall, 65 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 grey jacket, black shorts, black slippers and a cap in orange colour. 

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit, New Territories South on 3661 1173 or 9480 3644 or email to rmpu-nts-1@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.