Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 12) investigating a case of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, and hence reminded the public to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene against intestinal infections.

     The case involves a 1-year-old girl with good past health, who presented with diarrhoea on October 28. She was brought to CUHK Medical Centre on October 31. Her condition was stable and did not require hospitalisation.

     Her stool specimen grew STEC upon laboratory testing.

     Initial enquiries of the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Information from the patient’s family members revealed that she did not consume any high-risk food (such as raw meat and unpasteurised dairy products) during the incubation period. Her home contacts are asymptomatic so far. The CHP is following up their health conditions and the relevant investigations are ongoing.

     “Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless. Some strains, however, such as STEC, can produce powerful toxins and cause severe food-borne disease. The most recognised serogroup of STEC is E. coli O157:H7,” a spokesman for the CHP explained.

     Preventive measures for STEC infection are similar to those recommended for other food-borne diseases. The public are advised to observe good personal and food hygiene:
 

• Adopt the Five Keys to Food Safety in handling food, i.e. Choose (choose safe raw materials), Clean (keep hands and utensils clean), Separate (separate raw and cooked food), Cook (cook thoroughly) and Safe Temperature (keep food at a safe temperature) to prevent food-borne diseases;
• Wash hands properly with liquid soap and water before handling food, after handling raw meat or poultry and before eating, and after going to the toilet or changing diapers;
• Cook food and boil water thoroughly before consumption. When cooking or reheating, the core temperature of the food should reach at least 75 degrees Celsius;
• Avoid consumption of unpasteurised milk or undercooked food; and
• Consult your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of STEC infection, particularly bloody diarrhoea.

     The public may visit the CHP’s STEC page for more information. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (November 12) investigating a probable case of botulism after a patient received injections of botulinum toxin on the Mainland. The CHP again reminded the public that botulinum toxin injections should only be prescribed and performed by registered doctors.

     The case involves a female patient aged 38 with good past health. According to information provided by the patient, she received injections that were claimed to be botulinum toxin from a person at a premises in Dongguan on October 27. However, the patient was unable to confirm the professional qualifications of the person who performed the injections. She has presented with symptoms including limbs weakness, swallowing difficulty and bilateral partial ptosis since October 29. She attended a hospital in Dongguan on November 3 and was admitted the same day. The patient attended the North District Hospital on November 8 due to persistent symptoms and was admitted the same day. She is still hospitalised and is in stable condition. She was clinically suspected to have botulism caused by botulinum toxin injection.

     The CHP has reported the case to the relevant authority on the Mainland. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing.

     “In Hong Kong, botulinum toxin injections should only be performed by a locally registered doctor. Customers should verify the doctor’s full name against the list of registered doctors of the Medical Council of Hong Kong as well as their professional qualifications and relevant experience. When receiving injections outside Hong Kong, pay special attention to ensure the provider is qualified or registered with relevant jurisdictions for practice. In case of injections offered from suspicious sources, refrain from receiving them. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice from eligible medical professionals as soon as possible,” a spokesman for the DH said.

     Due to the weakening of associated muscles and the fact that botulinum toxin may spread and affect other areas beyond the injection site, affected patients may have drooping eyelids, double or blurred vision, problems with chewing, hoarseness, or even difficulties in swallowing, speaking or breathing, which may happen hours, days or weeks after the injection.

     The DH urged the public to observe the health advice below before receiving botulinum toxin injections:
 

• Injections in Hong Kong should only be performed by locally registered doctors;
• Understand the procedure, potential risks and complications before receiving injections. Consult a doctor for an informed decision;
• Do not receive injections from suspicious sources;
• Do not receive an injection in the case of a history of allergy to botulinum toxin, or if there is an infection or inflammation on the injection site;
• Request the full name of the doctor in writing if referred by a beauty service provider for the procedure, as well as the professional qualifications and relevant experience; and
• If symptoms develop, such as a fever or feeling unwell, seek medical attention immediately.

     The public may visit the DH’s webpage on the differentiation between medical procedures and beauty services, the Drug Database of the Drug Office and the CHP’s botulism page for more information.​ read more

     The flag presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Delegation to the 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People’s Republic of China (NTGEM) was held at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre this afternoon (November 12).
          
     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Head of the Delegation, Mr Kevin Yeung, officiated at the ceremony and presented the HKSAR regional flag to the President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Delegation, Mr Timothy Fok.
      
     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Yeung said it is the first time that the HKSAR Delegation will participate in the NTGEM under an invitation from the National Ethnic Affairs Commission of the People’s Republic of China and the General Administration of Sport of China. He expressed hope that the Hong Kong athletes would seize this rare opportunity to share skills with other athletes, thereby helping them gain a deeper understanding of the nation’s unique culture, broaden their horizons, and bring their experiences back to Hong Kong.
      
     He is also looking forward to gaining new insights on how to integrate culture, sports, and tourism through participation in this event.
      
     Jointly organised by the National Ethnic Affairs Commission of the People’s Republic of China and the General Administration of Sport of China, and undertaken by the People’s Government of Hainan Province, the 12th NTGEM will be held from November 22 to 30 in Sanya, Hainan. The HKSAR will send a total of 86 athletes to participate in three competition events, namely shuttlecock, dragon boat, and folk martial arts as well as in the demonstration event of dragon dance sport. They will also present a lion dance performance during the opening ceremony.
      
     The NTGEM, held every four years, was first held in 1953. Positioned as a mass participation sporting event, participants in the NTGEM are mainly amateur athletes. To encourage active involvement from people in different regions and ethnic groups, there will be first, second and third prizes in the competitions instead of gold, silver and bronze medals. The NTGEM comprises 18 competition events and three categories of demonstration events, along with cultural activities such as opening and closing ceremonies and an ethnic gala, showcasing rich and distinctive ethnic cultures.
      
     Also attending the ceremony today were the Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr Li Shuguang; the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services and the Deputy Head of the Delegation, Miss Winnie Chui; the Commissioner for Sports and member of the Organising Committee of the Delegation, Mr George Tsoi; and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Delegation, Professor Patrick Yung.
      
     For the latest information on the 12th NTGEM and Hong Kong athletes participating in the Games, please visit the LCSD’s dedicated webpage (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ntgem/2024/index).

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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Environmental Affairs visited the plant of Swire Coca-Cola HK and its plastics recycling facility, New Life Plastics Ltd (New Life Plastics), today (November 12) to understand the sustainable development plan of recycling and processing plastic products.

     Members first visited the museum and production line facilities in the Swire Coca-Cola HK plant and received a briefing from the company’s representatives on their visions for sustainable beverage product packaging and the circular economy. Members noted that apart from adopting environment-friendly packaging designs for its beverages, the company has also invested in a plastics recycling facility, New Life Plastics, to promote local sustainable development.

     Members then proceeded to EcoPark in Tuen Mun to visit the plastics recycling facility of New Life Plastics, which is the first food-grade ready plastics recycling facility in Hong Kong. With its advanced technology, the facility processes locally disposed beverage bottles to high-quality plastic flakes that can be used for manufacturing recycled beverage bottles, thereby fostering a circular economy. Members also exchanged views with representatives from New Life Plastics on the challenges and opportunities in plastic bottle recycling.

     Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of Panel on Environmental Affairs, Mr Lau Kwok-fan; the Deputy Chairman of the Panel, Mr Chan Siu-hung; Panel members Dr Lo Wai-kwok and Ms Carmen Kan; as well as a non-Panel member Mr Benson Luk.

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     â€‹The Fire Services Department (FSD) and the China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (CMHK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (November 12) to jointly promote smart firefighting, aiming to enhance the emergency management level of Hong Kong and provide better safeguards for citizens.

     The FSD and the CMHK will explore the feasibility of applying innovative technologies in fire service work across various technical fields, including the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence, thermal imaging and the Internet of Things; developing innovative applications of the low-altitude economy in rescue operations; and applying advanced indoor locating technologies in firefighting operations. This collaboration can significantly strengthen the FSD’s rescue service quality and operational efficiency, as well as enhancing the safety of frontline personnel.

     Witnessed by the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung, and the Executive Consultant of the CMHK, Mr Sean Lee, the MOU was signed by the Assistant Director (Corporate Strategy) of the FSD, Mr Wong Ka-wing, and the Managing Director of the Corporate Market Division of the CMHK, Mr Johnson Zhang.

     Mr Yeung said that the FSD has always shouldered the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of citizens, as well as preventing and fighting fires. The mission relies not only on a professional firefighting team and excellent equipment but also on technological capability. He said that the FSD will fully utilise the CMHK’s technological advantages in the areas of 5G, big data, the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence to leverage intelligentisation and informatisation in firefighting.

     Mr Lee said that the CMHK has been carrying out various exchanges, collaborations and exploratory practices regarding application scenarios such as fire rescue and fire warnings with the FSD since last year. Both parties joined hands again this year to launch exploration and pilot schemes on projects such as backpack base stations and emergency communications, with a view to further enhancing co-operation of both parties in fire technologies.

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