The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 23) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From November 16 to 22, the CHP recorded eight imported DF cases. The patients had been to Guangdong in Mainland China (four cases), Malaysia (one case), the Philippines (one case), Thailand (one case) and Vietnam (one case) during the incubation period.
 
     As of yesterday (November 22), 153 cases had been confirmed this year, of which 29 were local cases and 124 were imported cases. The imported cases were mainly from Thailand (34), Mainland China (29) and the Philippines (19).
 
     DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia and beyond. In Guangdong, there were 2 752 cases in the first 10 months of this year. A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public that according to the health authority of Guangdong, the number of local DF cases recorded in Guangdong increased from 204 in August to 948 in September, and further to 1 313 in October. Members of the public are reminded to adopt personal protective measures against mosquitoes to prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as DF when visiting Guangdong.

     The latest figures for 2018 revealed that 75 349 cases had been recorded in Thailand, 2 634 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 175 in Japan. In Taiwan, 178 local cases have been recorded to date in 2018. In the Americas, the latest figures indicated that 66 644 cases have been filed in Mexico in 2018.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

 
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika Virus Infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) released today (November 23) the latest maintenance cost information on lifts in private residential and commercial premises, as a reference for responsible persons of lifts when selecting registered lift contractors.

     According to a sampling survey involving some 65 000 lifts at about 19 500 locations conducted by an independent consultant engaged by the EMSD, the latest average monthly maintenance cost of lifts in private residential and commercial buildings in Hong Kong are as follows:
             

     The cost information is available in the Responsible Persons' Corner on the EMSD's website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/lifts_and_escalators_safety/responsible_persons_corner/index.html). The EMSD updates it on a half-yearly basis.

     In choosing registered lift contractors, the responsible persons of lifts are advised to make reference to the materials published in the Responsible Persons' Corner in addition to the price factor, including:
* performance ratings of registered contractors;
* sample contracts for procurement of lift maintenance services;
* a guidebook for persons responsible for lifts;
* guidelines for selection of registered contractors for provision of maintenance services;
* guidelines for modernisation of existing lifts;
* guidelines for management of lift maintenance works;
* a checklist for building management staff to conduct daily safety inspection of lifts; and
* common questions and answers on lift management.

Note 1: The above price figures were updated on September 30, 2018, whereas the previous price figures were updated on March 31, 2018.

Note 2: As there are relatively few lifts with travel of more than 35 levels, the surveyed price obtained through sampling of lifts in this group is prone to higher fluctuation.

     A man who went missing in Mong Kok has been located.

     Tse Kin-sun, aged 82, went missing after he was last seen on Sai Yee Street on November 20 night. Police subsequently received the report.   

     The man turned up to Police to cancel the missing person report yesterday (November 22) night. He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.
     

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 23) that in view of a notification from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N6 sub-type avian influenza in Jiangdu District, Yangzhou City in Jiangsu Province, it has followed the existing approach for control of highly pathogenic avian influenza and taken recommendations from the World Organisation for Animal Health into account to suspend the import of poultry and poultry products, including poultry eggs, from an area within a radius of 3 kilometres from the said place for a period of 90 days, and from an area within a radius of 13km for 21 days, with immediate effect for the protection of public health in Hong Kong.
      
     A spokesman for the CFS said that according to information from the General Administration of Customs, the outbreak does not affect any registered Mainland poultry farms that export to Hong Kong. No registered poultry meat or poultry egg processing plants are currently situated within the import restriction zone concerned.
      
     The CFS will closely monitor the latest developments of the avian influenza case in the province and take appropriate follow-up action as necessary.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, November 23, 2018 is 105.7 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).