The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Kowloon Hospital (KH) made the following announcement today (May 24):
 
     Three female patients (aged 82 to 90) of a Rehabilitation ward presented with diarrhoea symptoms since May 12. Appropriate tests were arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Clostridium Difficile toxin. The patients concerned are being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     Limited admission to the ward has been imposed. Infection control measures for the ward have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will set off tomorrow morning (May 25) for a three-day visit to Guiyang.
     
     While in Guiyang, Mr Chan will attend the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2018 and speak in its forums.
　　
     He will also meet with senior officials of the Government of Guizhou Province and visit enterprises from the local big data industry.
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     Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon of May 27 (Sunday).
      
     In his absence, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, will act as the Financial Secretary.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (May 24) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in So Kon Po and Causeway Bay this Saturday (May 26) to facilitate the holding of a football match at the Hong Kong Stadium.
 
     The special traffic and transport arrangements mainly include:
 
* From about 1.30pm, the section of Caroline Hill Road between Leighton Road and Cotton Path, and the section of Hysan Avenue westbound between Sunning Road and Hoi Ping Road, will be closed, subject to the actual situation;
 
* From about 4.30pm, Caroline Hill Road and the section of Eastern Hospital Road between Caroline Hill Road and Cotton Path will be closed to facilitate the dispersal of spectators until the crowd has dispersed and road closures are lifted, subject to the actual situation;

* During the road closure period, Citybus route 5B, New World First Bus route 8H, cross-harbour route 936, green minibus routes 14M, 26 and 30, and residents' service route HR 51 will be temporarily diverted;
 
* Cross-harbour route 117R will operate from the Hong Kong Stadium to Mong Kok after the event; and
 
* On-street car parking spaces and car parks within the affected areas will be suspended.
 
     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of So Kon Po and Causeway Bay will be congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of the Police. Members of the public planning to go to the affected areas are advised to use public transport services as far as possible.
 
     The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to be alert to the latest traffic news broadcast via radio and television.
 
     Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements are now available on the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 24) 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 30-year-old man with good past health, who has developed diarrhoea and abdominal pain since April 26. He attended the out-patient clinic of a private hospital for management on May 5 and no hospitalisation was required. The patient has been in a stable condition all along.

     His stool specimen grew STEC upon laboratory testing.

     Initial enquiries of the CHP revealed that the patient had travelled to Nepal and Thailand from April 15 to 30. He did not consume unpasteurised milk or raw food, or have contact with animals or visit farms during the incubation period. His travel collaterals remained asymptomatic. 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 infections are similar to those recommended for other food-borne diseases. The public are advised to observe good personal and food hygiene:
 

• Wash hands properly with liquid soap and water before eating or handling food, and after going to the toilet or changing diapers;
• Cook food and boil water thoroughly before consumption. Most food-borne viruses and bacteria (including STEC) can be killed when food is cooked or reheated long enough at sufficient high temperature. 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 a doctor immediately if symptoms of STEC infection, particularly bloody diarrhoea, develop.

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

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 23) seized about 2.2 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $5.8 million and a duty potential of about $4.1 million at Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers inspected a 20-foot container declared to contain personal cleaning products arriving in Hong Kong from India. After inspection, Customs officers found 180 cartons containing a total of about 2.2 million suspected illicit cigarettes mix-loaded with six cartons of personal cleaning products inside the container.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182, or dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).