The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 15) investigating a case of invasive meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons.

     The case involves a 21-year-old man, with no underlying chronic illness, who has presented with fever and headache since June 12. He sought medical attention from the Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital on June 13 and was admitted for treatment on the same day. He is now in stable condition.

     His blood sample tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis upon laboratory testing. His clinical diagnosis was meningococcaemia.
 
     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had visited Shenzhen and Macao with three friends during the incubation period. One of his travel collaterals developed headache since June 10. His other travel collaterals and home contacts have remained asymptomatic. The CHP's investigation is continuing.

     "Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is mainly transmitted by direct contact through respiratory secretions, including droplets from the nose and throat, from infected persons. The incubation period varies from two to 10 days, and is commonly three or four days," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The clinical picture may vary. Severe illness may result when the bacteria invade the bloodstream (meningococcaemia) or the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis).

     Meningococcaemia is characterised by sudden onset of fever, intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases. Meningococcal meningitis is characterised by high fever, severe headache and stiff neck followed by drowsiness, vomiting, fear of bright light, or a rash. It can cause brain damage or even death. The brain damage may lead to intellectual impairment, mental retardation, hearing loss and electrolyte imbalance. Invasive meningococcal infections can be complicated by arthritis, inflammation of the heart muscle, inflammation of the posterior chamber of the eye or chest infection.

     Meningococcal infection is a serious illness. Patients should be treated promptly with antibiotics.

     To prevent meningococcal infection, members of the public are advised to take heed of the following measures:
 

• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing, and clean hands with alcohol-based handrub when they are not visibly soiled;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with tissue, dispose of nasal and mouth discharge in a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands immediately;
• Avoid crowded places;
• Avoid close contact with patients who have fever or severe headache;
• Travellers to high-risk areas may consult doctors for meningococcal vaccination; and
• Travellers returning from high-risk areas should seek medical advice if they become ill and should discuss their recent travel history with their doctor. 

     The public may visit the CHP's website for more information on meningococcal infection.

     The "Sparkle! A Good Waste of Time" exhibition organised by Oi! was unveiled today (June 15) at Oi! in North Point. Under the theme "Fun and play", the exhibition gallery has been converted into a funhouse brimming with fantasy, inviting visitors to interact with artworks and make discoveries during a journey of play.

     For the fifth exhibition of the "Sparkle!" series, artist Solomon Yu was invited to be the project curator and six local artists from different disciplines with diverse styles have created artworks on the theme of "Fun and play". The participating artists are Cheuk Wing-nam, Moss Ho, Koko Ko, Lau Ming-hang, Rogerger Ng and Thomas Yuen.

     The exhibits on display are a mysterious scene created by Cheuk Wing-nam, an installation by Moss Ho that rediscovers the sensitivity of the body, a sound-producing toy made of water pipes by Koko Ko, a spatial setting transformed from origami by Lau Ming-hang, a machine that tests the ultimate elasticity of plastic gloves invented by Rogerger Ng, and a computer game designed by Thomas Yuen. Visitors are invited to interact with these exhibits and consider the messages about living attitudes that they carry.

     The exhibition has free admission and runs until September 9. For details of the exhibition, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/APO/en_US/web/apo/sparkle_a_good_waste.html or call 2512 3008.

     Oi! is located at 12 Oil Street, North Point.

          

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 15) announced that a sample of bottled honey was detected to contain an antibiotic. The CFS is following up on the case.
 
Details of the product are as follows:
 
Product name: Natural Bee Honey
Brand: Hero
Place of origin: Egypt
Importer: Sims Trading Company Ltd
Packing: 12.7 ounces/360 grams per bottle
Best-before date: September 18, 2020
 
     "Following up on a case referred by a relevant organisation, the CFS collected the above sample from a supermarket in Hung Hom for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained an antibiotic, metronidazole, at a level of 75 parts per billion. The CFS has notified the vendor concerned of the test result and instructed it to stop selling the affected product. The Centre is tracing the source and distribution of the food in question," a CFS spokesman said.
 
     "According to Codex Alimentarius Commission, food should not contain residues of metronidazole because it may constitute a hazard to the health of the consumers," he added.
 
     According to section 52 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, any person sells to the prejudice of a purchaser any food which is not of the nature, substance or quality of the food demanded by the purchaser shall be guilty of an offence, which is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months upon conviction.
 
     The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action to safeguard public health. Investigation is on-going.

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Research Bureau of the People's Bank of China (PBoC) jointly hosted a seminar on "Mainland and Hong Kong Green Finance Opportunities" in Hong Kong today (15 June), to discuss the developments and opportunities in the Mainland and Hong Kong green finance markets.
 
     The seminar covered the green finance policy and market developments in the Mainland and Hong Kong; as well as how Hong Kong can support the national strategies of the Central People’s Government and capture the related green finance opportunities.  The seminar was attended by more than 500 participants including policymakers and market participants from all over the world.  Speakers at the seminar included senior representatives from the PBoC, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the Green Finance Committee of the China Society for Finance and Banking, the HKMA, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, and leading financial institutions and green bond issuers.
 
     The Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, "Hong Kong has always been the gateway between Mainland China and the world, and is uniquely positioned to connect these two markets in green finance.  Hong Kong has an increasingly vibrant green bond market, with over US dollar 5 billion issuance so far this year, by corporates, financial institutions and multilateral development banks.  The HKMA will continue to promote green bond issuance and enhance cooperation with the Mainland."
 
     The Director-General of the Research Bureau of the PBoC, Mr Xu Zhong, said, "Mainland China is a leader in global green finance. Meanwhile, leveraging its advantage as an international financial centre, Hong Kong has also made major progress in this area. The Mainland and Hong Kong should further enhance exchanges and cooperation, and contribute to the international consensus on green finance."

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for North District Hospital (NDH) today (June 15) announced the review report and recommendations on an incident concerning a missing autopsy specimen.
 
     An expert review panel was set up following the announcement by NDH in April this year on an incident concerning a missing autopsy specimen.  The panel was tasked to review the root cause of the incident and also make improvement recommendations. The review report was completed and submitted to the Hospital Authority Head Office. Regarding the case of the missing autopsy specimen, it was reported to the Police and the investigation is still ongoing.
 
     A number of improvements have been recommended by the panel to enhance the management and security of autopsy specimen storage and handling in public hospitals. The HA has accepted the report and its recommendations and will consider the necessary actions.
 
     NDH is very concerned about the incident and will follow up to put in place the recommendations to prevent recurrence of similar incidents. The hospital has already implemented the following enhanced measures after the incident:
 
1. Lock all storage rooms for autopsy specimens and specific documents all the time and restrict access to designated persons only;
2. Implement security control strictly and enhance regular patrol of the mortuary;
3. Enhance traceability and handling procedures for specimens; and
4. Install an access control system and additional CCTV to monitor the situation in the mortuary.
   
     The hospital has communicated with the family of the deceased patient on the review recommendations and again extended its apologies.  Appreciation was also expressed to the Chairman and members of the expert review panel for their contributions and recommendations.  Membership of the panel is as follows:
 
Chairman:
Dr Gavin Chan
Consultant, Department of Pathology, Queen Mary Hospital
 
Members:
Mr Steve Chan
Cluster General Manager (Administration Services), New Territories West Cluster
 
Mr Wong Wing-ming
Department Manager, Department of Pathology, Tseung Kwan O Hospital
 
Dr Flora Tsang
Senior Manager (Patient Safety & Risk Management), HA Head Office