Hong Kong e-Legislation (HKeL) will be the only government legislation website from July 1, 2018, following the discontinuation of the previous Bilingual Laws Information System (BLIS) on the same date, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice reminded the public today (June 29).

     The spokesperson said, "To help the public learn more about HKeL, we have published leaflets introducing the major functions of HkeL. The leaflets can be obtained from the major public libraries, district offices and the sales counter of the Information Services Department. Users' guides and slideshows on major functions are available on the HKeL website for quick reference.

     "To improve the user-friendliness of HKeL, we have recently enhanced the Quick Search function to facilitate quicker access to a particular provision or multiple provisions in a chapter. In addition, a Quick Links Panel has been added on the HKeL homepage to promote direct access to certain popular features like the Chapter Number Index and the Glossaries of Legal Terms."

     The spokesperson added that the Government will continue to listen to the views of users to enhance HKeL for the benefit of the general public and the legal profession.

     HKeL was launched in February 2017. To facilitate the transition from BLIS to HKeL, the two websites have been running in parallel. After consulting the HKeL Liaison Group and considering the views of the legal profession, it was decided that BLIS would discontinue service on July 1, 2018.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 29) reminded members of the public to observe personal and environmental hygiene, and follow travel health advice on some infectious diseases for better protection for themselves and their families during travel in the summer vacation.

A. Mosquito-borne diseases

     There are numerous mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever (DF), Japanese encephalitis (JE), malaria, yellow fever and Zika virus infection. Among them, DF remains an endemic infection in some countries and areas in Southeast Asia, while yellow fever is endemic in various countries and areas in Africa and Central and South America.

     The CHP continues to record imported DF cases in Hong Kong. From June 22 to 28, two new cases were confirmed and the patients had been to Thailand (one case) and Vietnam (one case) in the incubation period.

     As of yesterday (June 28), among the 39 cases in 2018, 17 were imported from Thailand, followed by the Philippines (eight) and Cambodia (four), with no local cases so far.
 
     DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia and overseas. In Guangdong, there were 38 cases in the first five months of this year. The latest figures for 2018 reveal that 22 539 cases have been recorded in Thailand, 1 353 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 59 in Japan.

     "Although symptoms of first infection are usually mild, the public should note that subsequent infections with other serotypes are more likely to result in severe dengue, which may progress to shock or death. If symptoms such as fever develop during travel, seek medical advice immediately for prompt diagnosis and treatment," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, travellers should observe the CHP's special notes in their trip:
 

• Currently, vaccines are available as preventive measures against yellow fever and JE, while anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis is also available. Members of the public planning to travel to affected areas should consult their doctors for advice on vaccination or chemoprophylaxis. Travellers planning to receive yellow fever vaccination and travel health medical advice should arrange travel health consultation with the DH's Travel Health Service (THS) at least six to eight weeks before the trip;
• Apart from adopting general measures, applying DEET-containing insect repellents is also an effective measure against mosquitoes. The public may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details;
• During the trip, if travelling in endemic rural areas, carry a portable bed net and apply permethrin (an insecticide) on it. Permethrin should not be applied to the skin. Seek medical attention promptly if feeling unwell; and
• Travellers returning from DF and Zika virus infection affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days and at least 21 days respectively upon arrival.

 
B. Measles
 
     Measles remains an endemic infection in many places around the world. In Southeast Asia, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), as of June 7, the 12-month measles incidence (number of cases per million population) had reached 79.0, 72.4, 24.7 and 24.3 in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia respectively. In Europe, there were marked increases in measles cases in recent months, with the highest 12-month incidence (number of cases per million population) in Greece (255.6), Romania (108.3), Italy (66.6) and France (36.4). The measles incidence levels in these countries are far higher than that of Hong Kong, which was 1.4 cases per million population in the previous 12 months.
 
     "Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. As the summer vacation is approaching, members of the public who are planning to travel to places with high incidence or outbreaks of measles should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially non-locally born people who might not have received measles vaccination during childhood. Information on the history of measles vaccination in Hong Kong is available from the CHP's measles page," the spokesman said.
 
     "Those with incomplete vaccination, unknown vaccination history or unknown immunity against measles are urged to consult their doctor for advice on measles vaccination at least two weeks before departure. Pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy who are not immune to measles as well as children aged under 1 year who are not due for the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella combined vaccine under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme are advised not to travel to places with outbreaks of measles," the spokesman added.

C. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

     As countries in the Middle East, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), continue to record cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), travellers should remain vigilant on the disease activity and avoid high-risk behaviour.

     "Studies show that humans were infected through direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels, which are a major host for MERS Coronavirus and an animal source of infection in humans. Human-to-human transmission can also occur through close contact. We again urge travellers to the Middle East to avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels," the spokesman said.

     To date, 2 220 cases have been reported to the WHO, with at least 790 deaths. There have been 2 003 cases in 10 Middle East countries including 1 844 in the KSA, 87 in the United Arab Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 19 in Qatar, 11 in Oman, six in Iran, four in Kuwait, two in Lebanon and one each in Yemen and Bahrain.

     Travellers may refer to the latest Travel Health News easily by selecting a destination or disease on the front page of the DH's THS. Health advice on DF, MERS, Zika virus infection and avian influenza are available for the public's easy reference. Travellers returning to Hong Kong who are feeling unwell should seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor.

     The CHP has also prepared easy-to-read infographics (see attachments) for the public and travellers on necessary health precautions both locally and during travel.

     Around 200 representatives from over 70 business organisations, social enterprises, statutory bodies and social sectors attended the "Unleashing Rehabilitated Offenders' Potential" Employment Symposium today (June 29) to discuss how to assist rehabilitated offenders to reintegrate into the community through employment.

     The Symposium, which was the ninth of its kind, was jointly held by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) and the Centre for Criminology of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), providing an academic platform for discussion of employment issues relating to rehabilitated offenders. The Symposium also included employers who had hired rehabilitated offenders sharing details of their experiences as well as rehabilitated persons talking about their reintegration into the community. In addition, the event called on the public and employers to offer fair job opportunities and treatment to rehabilitated offenders to help them reintegrate into society.

     The theme of the Symposium was "Unleashing Rehabilitated Offenders' Potential". The event was officiated by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, as well as the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Lam Kwok-leung; the Acting Director of the Centre for Criminology of HKU, Professor Maggy Lee, and the Chairman of the Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders, Mr Siu Chor-kee. The Symposium was launched with the planting of a tree, with the growth of the tree symbolising the success of concerted efforts by all sectors of the community in helping offenders to reintegrate. With constant support from all stakeholders, it is expected that rehabilitated offenders will be able to unleash their potential and contribute towards making a better society.

     At the Symposium, academics, business people and employers from various fields exchanged views on the importance of job opportunities for rehabilitated offenders, their experiences in hiring them and the function of CSD supervision staff in job-matching between rehabilitated offenders and employers. Arrangements were also made for rehabilitated offenders under statutory supervision to talk about their path towards rehabilitation, including their career development and social recognition through hard work.

     Dr Law and Mr Lam presented awards to companies which had offered jobs to rehabilitated offenders, in recognition of their support for offender rehabilitation.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, June 29, 2018 is 102.2 (same as yesterday's index).

     The Government announced today (June 29) the appointments to the Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis for a term of three years from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021.
 
     Co-chaired by the Director of Health and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, the Steering Committee has been set up to formulate strategies to effectively prevent and control viral hepatitis. Appointed by the Secretary for Food and Health, membership comprises representatives of academia and experts of different medical specialties, the Food and Health Bureau, the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority.
 
     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, said that viral hepatitis carries a huge disease burden in terms of morbidity and mortality both locally and worldwide.  
 
     "In order to step up our efforts with a view to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat in Hong Kong, a comprehensive strategy covering both prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis would be instrumental," Professor Chan said. 
 
     "With the valuable advice from members who are renowned experts and academics specialising in viral hepatitis, the Steering Committee will spearhead the effort in devising and following through with an action plan for the territory," she added.
 
     Hong Kong has implemented universal hepatitis B testing of pregnant mothers and hepatitis B vaccination of all newborns for 30 years. Together with various infection control measures, these strategies have successfully lowered the prevalence of hepatitis B in many groups of the population. However, viral hepatitis continues to present major health concern, as chronic infection may give rise to liver-related complications, including liver cancer, one of the most common cancers in Hong Kong.
 
     The terms of reference of the Steering Committee are:
 
(1) to keep in view local and international developments in the prevention and control of viral hepatitis;
 
(2) to advise the Government on overall policy, targeted strategies and effective resource allocation related to the prevention and control of viral hepatitis with a view to formulating an Action Plan; and
 
(3) to conduct and co-ordinate monitoring and evaluation of viral hepatitis control as set out in the Action Plan, and recommend appropriate response.
 
     Membership of the Steering Committee is as follows:
 
Co-chairpersons
——————
Director of Health
Chief Executive, Hospital Authority
 
Ex-officio members
———————
Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Health) 1
Controller, Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health
Director (Quality and Safety), Hospital Authority
 
Members
———-
Professor Henry Chan Lik-yuen
Dr Angus Chan Ming-wai
Dr Rita Ho Ka-wai
Dr Thomas Lai Sik-to
Dr Lao Wai-cheung
Professor Lau Yu-lung
Professor Lee Shui-shan
Dr Nancy Leung Wai-yee
Dr Leung Wing-cheong
Dr Janice Lo Yee-chi
Dr Owen Tsang Tak-yin
Professor Richard Yuen Man-fung