The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 7) reported an update on its investigations announced on June 5 into two suspected food poisoning clusters related to a food premises in Kwun Tong.

     Three additional clusters were identified. Details are as follows.

     The first cluster involved five women, aged 25 to 30, who developed fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting about eight to 27 hours after having lunch at the food premises on June 1;

     The second cluster involved two men and four women, aged 23 to 44, who presented with similar symptoms about three to eight hours after having lunch at the food premises on June 4;

     The third cluster involved one man and two women, aged 33 to 48, who had similar symptoms about 12 to 17 hours after having lunch at the food premises on May 31.
   
     Among them, 12 have sought medical advice, one each from the first and second cluster required hospitalisation. All patients are in stable condition.

     "To date, five recent clusters affecting 19 persons dining in the same food premises have been recorded. Epidemiological investigations show that the three additional clusters had meals at the food premises concerned before investigation and control measures instituted by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). We have alerted the FEHD to the additional clusters and investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:
 
     The Office of The Ombudsman today (June 7) held a seminar on Hong Kong's postal services at the Central Mail Centre (CMC), with around 40 Advisers of the Office and Justices of the Peace (JPs) present.
 
     In her speech, The Ombudsman, Ms Connie Lau, said, "The Post Office (PO) shoulders the important responsibility of handling the public's mail and has to face various new challenges brought about by changing times and technological advancements. Improvements must therefore be made in its mail delivery and mail tracing systems."
 
     Ms Lau urged the PO to enhance its efficiency in handling mail, thoroughly consider the opinions and suggestions raised at the seminar, and actively communicate with stakeholders with a view to exploring with them the direction of future development in an effort to further improve its postal services.
 
     In a guided tour arranged by the PO, Advisers of the Office and JPs present at the seminar looked at the CMC's equipment, such as the culler facer cancellers and the Optical Video Coding Integrated Systems, and had a chance to understand front-line postal services as well as the mail delivery procedures. Representatives from the PO also spoke with them on the challenges that have emerged in recent years, while the participants discussed and raised their views regarding the role of the PO in the territory-wide mail delivery service.
 
     Since 2010, the Office of The Ombudsman has organised seminars each year on various topics for JPs and Advisers of the Office. These seminars aim to enhance their understanding of the work of different government departments and public organisations and the role of the Office, and provide a platform for them to express their views so that they can help promote the work of the Office through their daily contacts with the public, thereby contributing to improvement in public administration and services in Hong Kong.

    

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, in Shanghai today (June 7) promoted stronger co-operation between Hong Kong and the city.
 
     This morning, he visited Innospace+ and the companies operating there to learn more about the ecosystem in Shanghai for start-ups. Innospace+ is an entrepreneurship community and incubating platform providing support to companies in areas such as financing, manpower resources, training and exchange, as well as marketing. There are currently several hundred companies, start-ups and research and development centres of multinational corporations operating in Innospace+.
  
     Mr Chan then attended lunch with Member of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and Head of the United Front Work Department of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Mr Zheng Gangmiao. Mr Chan also met with the Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal Government, Mr Xu Kunlin. Mr Chan updated them on the latest economic developments of Hong Kong, and expressed his gratitude to the Government of Shanghai for its staunch support over the years for the work of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
  
     This afternoon, Mr Chan addressed the 9th Shanghai-Hong Kong Metropolitan Development Seminar. He pointed out that Shanghai is the core of the world-class city cluster in the Yangtze River Delta area, and also an international centre of economic affairs, finance, trade, shipping and scientific and technologic innovation as well as a cultural metropolis. On the other hand, Hong Kong will continue to strive to leverage its unique advantages as an international financial, transportation and trade centre, and strengthen Hong Kong’s offshore Renminbi business and professional services. Hong Kong is committed to boosting economic development through innovation and technology. Mr Chan said that he looks forward to closer co-operation between both cities on various fronts, and to seeing Hong Kong and Shanghai contribute together to the sustained development of the nation.
 
     Organised by the Hong Kong-Shanghai Economic Development Association and the Shanghai Chinese Overseas Friendship Association, the seminar was held as a high-level platform for exploring co-operation between Hong Kong and Shanghai on different fronts.
 
     Upon his arrival in Shanghai yesterday afternoon (June 6), Mr Chan visited Shanghai Disney Resort and was briefed by the senior management on the latest developments and daily operation of the Resort. He also attended a dinner hosted by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority for members of the cultural sectors of the two places.
 
     After concluding his visit to Shanghai today, Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong at night.

        

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 7) investigating an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in a primary school in Wan Chai, and again urged the public, schools and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     The outbreak affected 20 girls aged 6 to 10, who have developed fever, oral ulcers, rash and vesicles on their hands or feet since May 17. All of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. They have been in stable condition.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the school and advised the management on necessary infection control and preventive measures. The school has been put under medical surveillance. Investigations are ongoing.

     "HFMD is common in children while adult cases may also appear. It is usually caused by enteroviruses (EVs) such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:
 

• Maintain good air circulation;
• Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted;
• Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
• Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.

     The public may visit the CHP's page on HFMD and EV71 infection and Public Health Advice for Play Facilities for more information.

     Japan-listed cosmetics review media and retail company, istyle Inc., announced today (June 7) that it will open its first cosmetics store "@cosme store" in Hong Kong tomorrow (June 8), as part of its global expansion plan to promote its brand via the city.

     The new store is located at a tourist hotspot in Tsim Sha Tsui, offering a wide range of popular Japanese cosmetic brands. In what redefines cosmetics shopping experience with cosmetic rankings and testers for almost all products, customers can try products they like and seek advice from professional beauty consultants to find the ideal cosmetics for individuals that the brand calls "Try, Meet, Destiny cosmetics".

     The Executive officer of istyle Inc. and the president of istyle Retail (Hong Kong) Co, Limited, Mr Hajime Endo, said that the Hong Kong store follows the model of Japanese stores with event and salon space allowing makeup demonstration and the opportunity for customers to meet with the brand owners.
      
     "Hong Kong is a large market for Japanese cosmetics given the high popularity of Japanese cosmetics among Hong Kong shoppers. With a shop in Hong Kong, we can also reach out huge number of international and Mainland Chinese visitors to promote our brand globally," he said.
      
     He added, "Our '@cosme' brand is well known in East Asia for its information on the ranking of Japanese popular cosmetics and unique cosmetics shopping experience. As Hong Kong is situated in the heart of Asia, we are positioning here as an important region at istyle's global strategy."

     The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Vincent Tang, said, "Japanese cosmetics and lifestyle products have enjoyed immense popularity and following in Hong Kong. The opening of istyle's first store in Hong Kong would further add to the range and diversity of the retail experience available in the city, and strengthen Hong Kong’s reputation as a premier shopping destination."

About istyle Inc.

     Founded in 1999, istyle Inc. is a listed Japanese company which owns the "@cosme" beauty portal sites and cosmetic stores. By analysing both online and offline data about customers' behaviour, the brand sets out specific strategy in different outlets to fit customers' needs. Its first "@cosme store" was opened in Shinjuku, Tokyo in 2007 and istyle Inc. currently operates 25 outlets in Japan and four outlets outside of Japan. For more information, please visit www.istyle.co.jp.

About Invest Hong Kong

     Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to attract foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies enrolled as its clients. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.

     For an event photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157694531376802.