The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (May 15) to consider two applications for new issue, renewal or amendment of liquor licences.

     The applications are (not in order of discussion):
 
Hong Kong:
——–
TM's in Sai Ying Pun
 
New Territories:
——–
PACI BISTRO in Tseung Kwan O
 
     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend, except during the private session on confidential items.
 

     To promote energy efficiency and conservation, the Government is constructing Hong Kong's first District Cooling System at the Kai Tak Development area.
 
     The whole project is due for completion in 2025. By then, 50 buildings will be connected to the cooling system, saving 85 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and seeing a reduction of 59 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per annum.
 
     News.gov.hk recently interviewed Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Chief Engineer Chan Pak-cheung to learn more about the system.
 
     The story appears on news.gov.hk today (May 13) in text and video format.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, continued her visit to Sichuan and attended an activity in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the massive Wenchuan earthquake organised by Sichuan Province in Wenchuan today (May 12).

     Leading the delegates of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government of the Sichuan trip, Mrs Lam visited the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in Chengdu in the morning to learn about various research and development projects on artificial intelligence and robotics, and attended a tea gathering with students and young entrepreneurs from Hong Kong. Noting in the tea gathering that President Xi Jinping announced in Hong Kong on July 1 last year that concrete facilitation measures would be rolled out by relevant central authorities for Hong Kong people to study, work and live in the Mainland, she said those measures are being promulgated, reflecting the support of the Central Government for Hong Kong. She said that HKSAR Government attaches great importance to the development of innovation and technology (I&T) and has implemented a number of policy initiatives. She added that Hong Kong young people in Sichuan are welcome to come back to Hong Kong to advance the city's I&T development with the Government in the future.

     Accompanied by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Mrs Lam attended a ceremony in commemoration of the massive Wenchuan earthquake at the former Xuankou Middle School which was torn down by the earthquake, in Yingxiu Town, Wenchuan County. Participants observed a moment of silence and presented flowers to mourn the victims.

     In the evening, Mrs Lam and the other officials attended a dinner with the Secretary of the CPC Chengdu Municipal Committee, Mr Fan Ruiping, and the Mayor of Chengdu Municipal Government, Mr Luo Qiang. They exchanged views on strengthening exchanges between the two places in trade, professional services, I&T, entrepreneurship of young people and culture.

     Later, Mrs Lam and the other officials met with the representatives of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China to listen to their experiences and insights gained from working and living in the Mainland. She expressed her gratitude to the Chamber for striving to unite the people and enterprises from Hong Kong in various areas in the Mainland, rolling out support measures and organising activities for them, fostering co-operation in economic and trade between Hong Kong and the Mainland. She also encouraged the Chamber to promote more Hong Kong's various advantages in the Mainland.

     Mrs Lam and the other officials will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning (May 13).

                  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 12) 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 29-days-old baby girl, with good past health, who has presented with fever and rash since May 10. She was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment on the same day and is now in stable condition.

     Her blood and cerebrospinal fluid sample were tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis upon laboratory testing. Her clinical diagnosis were meningitis and meningococcaemia.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. Her 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 Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 12) investigating a case of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection, and hence urged the public to maintain good personal hygiene, especially hand hygiene.

     The patient is a one-year-old boy with good past health. He has presented with fever, shortness of breath and wheezing since May 8 and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment on May 10. The patient is now in stable condition.

     His blood culture was tested positive for Hib upon laboratory testing. His clinical diagnoses was sepsis.

     The patient had no recent travel history and his home contacts remain asymptomatic. Investigations are ongoing.

     Invasive Hib infection has been a statutory notifiable infectious disease since July 2008. Invasive Hib infection commonly presents clinically as infection of membranes covering the brain (meningitis), often accompanied by bacteria entering the bloodstream. It may also affect other parts of the body such as the lungs, the upper part of the throat (epiglottis), joints and bones. Prompt antibiotic treatment is necessary.

     "Hib infection can be spread by contact with the nose or throat secretions of a patient. If persistent fever, unusual changes in behaviour or other deteriorating conditions develop, or if in doubt, seek medical attention immediately," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Members of the public are advised to observe personal hygiene and take heed of the preventive measures below:
 

• Maintain hand hygiene and clean hands properly;
• Wash hands when they are soiled with respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing or coughing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal discharge and sputum properly;
• Do not share eating and drinking utensils, and wash them thoroughly after use;
• Avoid going to crowded places if not feeling well; and
• An effective vaccine against Hib is available. For personal protection, seek advice from a health-care professional.

     The public may visit the CHP's invasive Hib page for more information.