The Department of Health (DH) today (December 3) announced that clinics under the DH and the Hospital Authority (HA) have fully resumed vaccination service of seasonal influenza vaccines (SIVs). Those eligible are reminded to receive vaccination early to better prepare for the winter influenza season.
 
     A spokesman for the DH said, "SIV is one of the safe and effective ways of preventing seasonal influenza and its complications. As it is already December and Hong Kong will soon enter the winter influenza season, members of the public, particularly those in high-risk groups, are urged to receive vaccination as soon as possible for protection against seasonal influenza as it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies."
 
     Following the suspension of the use of a batch of quadrivalent SIVs (box label: R3J721V; syringe label: R3J72) last week, stocks at public clinics have all been replenished with other unaffected batches of influenza vaccines.
 
     Meanwhile, the Government Laboratory's testing of vaccine samples of the affected batch and other batches of SIVs from the same supplier revealed that no foreign matter was found. The DH last week also inspected close to 2 100 samples (about 1 300 samples from the affected batch and about 800 samples from other batches) of quadrivalent SIVs and the inspection result revealed that no particles were detected.
 
     For information on medical organisations that have used the affected batch of vaccines, including the list of clinics under the DH and the HA as well as other healthcare facilities, please visit the website of the Centre for Health Protection (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/101125.html).
 
     For enquiries, the public may call the DH's hotline (2125 1133) or the HA's hotline (2300 6028) during office hours from Monday to Friday.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, at a media session after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Housing today (December 3):

Reporter: Mr Chan, can you give us an update on the probe into the car accident last week? Also, do you think there is a need for the Government to introduce laws to make it mandatory for passengers to wear seatbelts when they are sitting on coaches or buses?

Secretary for Transport and Housing: We are trying to ascertain what actually happened and that's what the Police and the Transport Department are looking into. Until when we do have a fair understanding of the fact, then we would be able to comment on the necessary remedial actions.

Reporter: How about the Government's stance on introducing laws for mandatory seatbelt wearing on coaches?

Secretary for Transport and Housing: As far as safety is concerned, it must be of very high importance. Whether or not we need to legislate for mandatory installation and use (of seatbelts) would be another issue that we have to look into by taking into account the entire operation, the cost and benefit, as well as the practicability of this. But as a matter of fact, all those new coaches now running in Hong Kong basically have seatbelts installed. The only difference is whether or not we should legislate to make its use mandatory.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) 

     The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, will leave for Guangzhou tomorrow (December 4) for the 13th meeting of the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee.

     The Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee is tasked to organise and co-ordinate technological exchange and co-operation between the two places. The upcoming meeting will be co-chaired by Mr Yang and the Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Zhang Jianguo.

     Mr Yang will return to Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon (December 5). During his absence, the Under Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Dr David Chung, will act as Secretary for Innovation and Technology.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 3) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From November 25 to December 1, one community-acquired LD case was reported. The male patient, aged 71 with underlying illnesses, lives in Block 4, Harmony Garden, 9 Siu Sai Wan Road, Eastern District.

     "Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of December 1, 99 LD cases had been reported in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, there were 72 and 75 cases respectively.

     "Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

1. Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
2. Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
3. If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

    The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute the infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

     1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
     2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
     3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
     4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
     5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.

     The Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme (PASS) is inviting a new round of applications today (December 3) from non-profit-distributing organisations such as professional bodies, trade or industrial organisations and research institutes.

     The PASS, with a total allocation of $200 million, aims at funding non-profit-making industry-led projects to increase exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong's professional services and external counterparts, promote relevant publicity activities, and enhance the standards of Hong Kong professional services through capacity building programmes.

     The maximum grant under the PASS for each approved project is $3 million or 90 per cent of the total eligible project cost, whichever is lower. A wide range of professional services is covered by the PASS, including accounting, legal, building and construction, healthcare, information and communications technology, design, as well as technical testing and analysis. Sector-specific projects and cross-sectoral projects are both welcome.

     So far, 31 projects have been funded under the PASS, including seminars, forums, workshops, exchange events, exhibitions, and research and studies. Costs directly incurred for implementing a project, such as manpower cost, venue and set up cost, production and promotion cost, and the project team's travel and accommodation cost outside Hong Kong, are typically eligible for funding under the scheme. More details about PASS and the funded projects are available at www.pass.gov.hk.

     The PASS receives applications all year round and they are processed on a quarterly basis. The deadline for the upcoming round of applications is February 28, 2019.

     A briefing session will be held on December 13 for organisations interested in applying for PASS funding. For registration for the briefing session or other enquiries, please contact the PASS Secretariat at 3655 5418 or pass@cedb.gov.hk.