The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 13) reported two suspected cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places of visit. The cases are detailed below: 
 

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.    
 
     The Hajj pilgrimage ended in late August. If pilgrims feel unwell during the two weeks after returning to Hong Kong, they should wear a surgical mask and seek medical attention immediately and inform a doctor of their recent travel history, including transit.

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

     The Director of the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), Mr Shun Chi-ming, attended the Second China-ASEAN Meteorological Forum held in Nanning yesterday (September 12). Mr Shun delivered a keynote presentation on the launch of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Multi-hazard Alert System for Asia (GMAS-A), jointly developed by the HKO and the China Meteorological Administration, at the forum. On behalf of the HKO, he also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) respectively with the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration (VNMHA) and the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) of Myanmar.

     Speaking at the forum, Mr Shun said the GMAS-A (gmas.asia/) is a regional online platform for aggregating weather warnings issued by official weather service organisations in the Asian region to support WMO members in natural disaster prevention and response, and alert the public, travellers and the media to take precautionary measures. The platform also provides weather advisory products and a discussion forum to strengthen co-ordination between WMO members in handling cross-boundary weather events.

     On the sidelines of the forum, Mr Shun signed an MoU with the Acting Administrator of the VNMHA, Mr Tran Hong Thai, and an MoC with the Director General of the DMH of Myanmar, Dr Kyaw Moe Oo, to strengthen meteorological collaboration on various aspects including meteorological observations, data exchange, forecasting techniques, service delivery and training.
 
     The Second China-ASEAN Meteorological Forum, held on September 12 and 13, was attended by high-level representatives from meteorological and hydrological services of the Mainland of China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Macao. They discussed regional meteorological co-operation, including meteorological instruments and observations, meteorological disaster preparedness and risk management, aviation meteorological services, climate services, research, training and education.

        

     The Lands Department announced today (September 13) that in respect of the tender for the site New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6593 at Ko Chiu Road, Yau Tong, Kowloon, which was awarded on August 15 to the successful tenderer, Ace Alliance Development Limited, on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $3,300 million, the tender amounts submitted by the unsuccessful tenderers in descending order are published on an anonymous basis as follows:

(1) $3,288,888,888
(2) $3,282,000,000
(3) $2,640,000,000
(4) $2,588,000,000
(5) $2,250,000,000
(6) $2,085,238,000
(7) $1,978,000,000
(8) $1,800,000,000
(9) $1,180,000,000

     The information disclosed in this press release is for information only.

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Tsim Sha Tsui today (September 13) in which a 70-year-old woman died.

     At about 8.15am, a bus and a taxi driven by a 52-year-old man and a 68-year-old man respectively were travelling along Nathan Road southbound. When approaching near the junction of Nathan Road and Mody Road, the two vehicles reportedly collided.

     The 70-year-old female bus passenger was found collapsed without superficial injury inside the bus compartment and rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in unconscious state. She was certified dead at 8.49am. The bus driver, the taxi driver and two other female bus passengers, aged 48 and 56 respectively, sustained minor injuries and were sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in conscious state.

     The 68-year-old taxi driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for further enquiries.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon West is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 9000 or 3661 9058.

     Forty-four convictions were recorded in August 2018 for breaches of legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).
 
     Six of the convictions were under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, six were under the Noise Control Ordinance, 28 were under the Waste Disposal Ordinance and four were under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.
 
     The heaviest fine in August was $50,000, assessed against a person who imported controlled waste without a permit.