The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 7) investigating an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in a primary school in Wan Chai, and again urged the public, schools and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     The outbreak affected 20 girls aged 6 to 10, who have developed fever, oral ulcers, rash and vesicles on their hands or feet since May 17. All of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. They have been in stable condition.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the school and advised the management on necessary infection control and preventive measures. The school has been put under medical surveillance. Investigations are ongoing.

     "HFMD is common in children while adult cases may also appear. It is usually caused by enteroviruses (EVs) such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:
 

• Maintain good air circulation;
• Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted;
• Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
• Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.

     The public may visit the CHP's page on HFMD and EV71 infection and Public Health Advice for Play Facilities for more information.

     Japan-listed cosmetics review media and retail company, istyle Inc., announced today (June 7) that it will open its first cosmetics store "@cosme store" in Hong Kong tomorrow (June 8), as part of its global expansion plan to promote its brand via the city.

     The new store is located at a tourist hotspot in Tsim Sha Tsui, offering a wide range of popular Japanese cosmetic brands. In what redefines cosmetics shopping experience with cosmetic rankings and testers for almost all products, customers can try products they like and seek advice from professional beauty consultants to find the ideal cosmetics for individuals that the brand calls "Try, Meet, Destiny cosmetics".

     The Executive officer of istyle Inc. and the president of istyle Retail (Hong Kong) Co, Limited, Mr Hajime Endo, said that the Hong Kong store follows the model of Japanese stores with event and salon space allowing makeup demonstration and the opportunity for customers to meet with the brand owners.
      
     "Hong Kong is a large market for Japanese cosmetics given the high popularity of Japanese cosmetics among Hong Kong shoppers. With a shop in Hong Kong, we can also reach out huge number of international and Mainland Chinese visitors to promote our brand globally," he said.
      
     He added, "Our '@cosme' brand is well known in East Asia for its information on the ranking of Japanese popular cosmetics and unique cosmetics shopping experience. As Hong Kong is situated in the heart of Asia, we are positioning here as an important region at istyle's global strategy."

     The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Vincent Tang, said, "Japanese cosmetics and lifestyle products have enjoyed immense popularity and following in Hong Kong. The opening of istyle's first store in Hong Kong would further add to the range and diversity of the retail experience available in the city, and strengthen Hong Kong’s reputation as a premier shopping destination."

About istyle Inc.

     Founded in 1999, istyle Inc. is a listed Japanese company which owns the "@cosme" beauty portal sites and cosmetic stores. By analysing both online and offline data about customers' behaviour, the brand sets out specific strategy in different outlets to fit customers' needs. Its first "@cosme store" was opened in Shinjuku, Tokyo in 2007 and istyle Inc. currently operates 25 outlets in Japan and four outlets outside of Japan. For more information, please visit www.istyle.co.jp.

About Invest Hong Kong

     Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to attract foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies enrolled as its clients. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.

     For an event photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157694531376802.

  

     The Advisory Committee on Post-office Employment for Former Chief Executives and Politically Appointed Officials has advised on the proposed employment for Ms Patricia Woo Wan-san, former Political Assistant to the Secretary for Transport and Housing, after her departure from the Government on July 1, 2017. 

     The Advisory Committee considers that, subject to the observance of certain restrictions it has advised, the proposed employment for Ms Woo would not give rise to any potential conflict of interest. The Advisory Committee also does not anticipate adverse public reaction or public perception to arise from the proposed employment.
 
     The Advisory Committee considers and advises on the post-office employment or appointment for former politically appointed officials. In considering each case, the Advisory Committee has regard to the information provided by the former politically appointed official concerned, the assessments by relevant government bureaux or offices, and the criteria for advice as stipulated in the guidance notes on post-office employment for politically appointed officials.

     Details of the above-mentioned case are available at the Advisory Committee's website (www.ceo.gov.hk/poo/eng/index.htm).

     The membership of the Advisory Committee is as follows:
 
Professor Liu Pak-wai (Chairman) 
Ms Elaine Lo Yuen-man
Ms Susanna Chiu Lai-kuen
Mr Thomas Brian Stevenson
Mr Simon Ip Sik-on

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (June 7) that the official foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong amounted to US$432.1 billion as at the end of May 2018 (end-April 2018: US$434.5 billion) (Annex).
 
     Including unsettled foreign exchange contracts, the foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong at the end of May 2018 amounted to US$424.6 billion (end-April 2018: US$426.9 billion).
 
     The total foreign currency reserve assets of US$432.1 billion represent over seven times the currency in circulation or about 45 per cent of Hong Kong dollar M3.
 
****************************************************************
 
     At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund's data are issued by the HKMA each month. Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund's Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS). The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund's Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA's policy of maintaining a high level of transparency. For the month of June 2018, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
 

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations,

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Tourism Commission announces that due to the issuing of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 by the Hong Kong Observatory, "A Symphony of Lights" will be cancelled tonight (June 7).