The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Shatin Hospital made the following announcement today (June 7):
 
     Four male patients (aged 56 to 80) in a Medical and Geriatric Ward have been confirmed as being carriers of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) since May 31. The patients concerned are being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     The Hospital Infection Control Team has followed up with the departments concerned and experts of the Centre for Health Protection. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward:
 

1. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
2. Applying stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward.

 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     A traveller who illegally exported incense tree wood chips has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (June 7).
 
     A spokesman of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that Customs officers intercepted an outbound male passenger, aged 25, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized about 1.57 kilograms of incense tree (Aquilaria sinensis) wood chips from his backpack on June 5. The estimated market value was about $125,600. Upon investigation by the AFCD, the man was charged with illegal export of endangered species, and was convicted and sentenced to two months' imprisonment at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today.
 
     All Aquilaria species, including the native incense tree, are listed in Appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. They are regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.
 
     The import, export, re-export or possession of specimens of scheduled species not in accordance with the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance is an offence. The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 (Amendment Ordinance) came into effect on May 1, and the increase in penalties under the Amendment Ordinance also came into effect on the same day. The maximum penalty is a fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years. The specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.
 
     The spokesman also pointed out that according to the Forests and Countryside Ordinance, felling of tress on government land without permission is an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for one year.
 
     The spokesman appealed to the public not to defy the law by smuggling agarwood or illegally felling incense trees. To enquire about the importation or exportation of endangered species and to report illegal imports or exports, the public can call the AFCD at 1823 or visit the website www.cites.hk.

  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 7) reported an update on its investigations announced on June 5 into two suspected food poisoning clusters related to a food premises in Kwun Tong.

     Three additional clusters were identified. Details are as follows.

     The first cluster involved five women, aged 25 to 30, who developed fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting about eight to 27 hours after having lunch at the food premises on June 1;

     The second cluster involved two men and four women, aged 23 to 44, who presented with similar symptoms about three to eight hours after having lunch at the food premises on June 4;

     The third cluster involved one man and two women, aged 33 to 48, who had similar symptoms about 12 to 17 hours after having lunch at the food premises on May 31.
   
     Among them, 12 have sought medical advice, one each from the first and second cluster required hospitalisation. All patients are in stable condition.

     "To date, five recent clusters affecting 19 persons dining in the same food premises have been recorded. Epidemiological investigations show that the three additional clusters had meals at the food premises concerned before investigation and control measures instituted by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). We have alerted the FEHD to the additional clusters and investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:
 
     The Office of The Ombudsman today (June 7) held a seminar on Hong Kong's postal services at the Central Mail Centre (CMC), with around 40 Advisers of the Office and Justices of the Peace (JPs) present.
 
     In her speech, The Ombudsman, Ms Connie Lau, said, "The Post Office (PO) shoulders the important responsibility of handling the public's mail and has to face various new challenges brought about by changing times and technological advancements. Improvements must therefore be made in its mail delivery and mail tracing systems."
 
     Ms Lau urged the PO to enhance its efficiency in handling mail, thoroughly consider the opinions and suggestions raised at the seminar, and actively communicate with stakeholders with a view to exploring with them the direction of future development in an effort to further improve its postal services.
 
     In a guided tour arranged by the PO, Advisers of the Office and JPs present at the seminar looked at the CMC's equipment, such as the culler facer cancellers and the Optical Video Coding Integrated Systems, and had a chance to understand front-line postal services as well as the mail delivery procedures. Representatives from the PO also spoke with them on the challenges that have emerged in recent years, while the participants discussed and raised their views regarding the role of the PO in the territory-wide mail delivery service.
 
     Since 2010, the Office of The Ombudsman has organised seminars each year on various topics for JPs and Advisers of the Office. These seminars aim to enhance their understanding of the work of different government departments and public organisations and the role of the Office, and provide a platform for them to express their views so that they can help promote the work of the Office through their daily contacts with the public, thereby contributing to improvement in public administration and services in Hong Kong.

    

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, in Shanghai today (June 7) promoted stronger co-operation between Hong Kong and the city.
 
     This morning, he visited Innospace+ and the companies operating there to learn more about the ecosystem in Shanghai for start-ups. Innospace+ is an entrepreneurship community and incubating platform providing support to companies in areas such as financing, manpower resources, training and exchange, as well as marketing. There are currently several hundred companies, start-ups and research and development centres of multinational corporations operating in Innospace+.
  
     Mr Chan then attended lunch with Member of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and Head of the United Front Work Department of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Mr Zheng Gangmiao. Mr Chan also met with the Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal Government, Mr Xu Kunlin. Mr Chan updated them on the latest economic developments of Hong Kong, and expressed his gratitude to the Government of Shanghai for its staunch support over the years for the work of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
  
     This afternoon, Mr Chan addressed the 9th Shanghai-Hong Kong Metropolitan Development Seminar. He pointed out that Shanghai is the core of the world-class city cluster in the Yangtze River Delta area, and also an international centre of economic affairs, finance, trade, shipping and scientific and technologic innovation as well as a cultural metropolis. On the other hand, Hong Kong will continue to strive to leverage its unique advantages as an international financial, transportation and trade centre, and strengthen Hong Kong’s offshore Renminbi business and professional services. Hong Kong is committed to boosting economic development through innovation and technology. Mr Chan said that he looks forward to closer co-operation between both cities on various fronts, and to seeing Hong Kong and Shanghai contribute together to the sustained development of the nation.
 
     Organised by the Hong Kong-Shanghai Economic Development Association and the Shanghai Chinese Overseas Friendship Association, the seminar was held as a high-level platform for exploring co-operation between Hong Kong and Shanghai on different fronts.
 
     Upon his arrival in Shanghai yesterday afternoon (June 6), Mr Chan visited Shanghai Disney Resort and was briefed by the senior management on the latest developments and daily operation of the Resort. He also attended a dinner hosted by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority for members of the cultural sectors of the two places.
 
     After concluding his visit to Shanghai today, Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong at night.