The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (August 24) chaired the 18th meeting of the Commission on Children.

     At the meeting, representatives of the Health Bureau, together with the project team of the Chinese University of Hong Kong commissioned by the Bureau, briefed members on the results of the psychiatric epidemiologic survey targeting children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 in Hong Kong. The survey covered the major mental health issues, risk factors, cost burden of mental disorders, service utilisation, etc, of local children and adolescents. After the briefing, members expressed their views on the mental health of children and adolescents and related matters.

     In addition, representatives of the Hong Kong Police Force shared with members the insights from its interviews conducted with children and adolescents in recent years, and briefed them on its activities that sought to nurture positive values in children and adolescents. Members thanked the Police's efforts and expressed their views on related matters.

     Members took note of the progress of work by the Working Groups under the Commission on Children. In particular, under the "Walk with Kids" thematic campaign, two stakeholder engagement events were successfully held on May 5 and June 22 this year under the themes of "Protection" and "Health" respectively. They aimed to gather the views of children and stakeholders, and encourage parents to strengthen communication with their children and address their physical and mental needs. Members were pleased to learn of the participants' active involvement and willingness to share their opinions in the events. They also agreed that the events had promoted community engagement at large while enabling members to talk to children and stakeholders directly to better understand their thinking.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Citibank (Hong Kong) Limited relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens and phishing emails, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites, login screens or emails concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (August 24) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccination.

     The case involves a 39-year-old male patient with good past health. He had developed fever, swollen lymph nodes and rash since August 17. He visited Prince of Wales Hospital on August 22 and was admitted for treatment on the same day. He is in stable condition. 

     An initial investigation revealed that he had visited Taiwan during the incubation period. According to the patient, he only had high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period. No epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far. The CHP's epidemiological investigations of the case are ongoing, including contact tracing and an infection source investigation. The CHP will report the case to the World Health Organization.
 
     In response to reports and views that Mpox patients can swim or have sauna together with other people without infecting others since Mpox is transmitted through close contacts, a spokesman for the CHP reiterated that Mpox virus can be transmitted through contact with contaminated objects. Therefore, persons who experience Mpox symptoms or suspect themselves being infected should seek medical attention and receive treatment as soon as possible, and they should not engage in activities with others during which other people may have contact with their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact.
 
     The CHP had earlier set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373). The hotline operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5pm, which enables those who suspect or are concerned they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, in particular men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice. Meanwhile, the CHP reminds the public, especially those subject to high risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches.
 
     The Government has activated the Alert level of the preparedness and response plan for the disease in September last year and will continue to assess the risk in view of the latest scientific evidence and situation, and implement corresponding control measures.

     The Mpox vaccination programme for high-risk groups commenced on October 5 last year. Under the programme, the following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination on a voluntary basis:
 

1. Individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
2. Healthcare workers responsible for caring of patients with confirmed Mpox;
3. Laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
4. Animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrence in animals in Hong Kong.

     High-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination at the designated Mpox vaccination centre (situated at 2/F, CHP building, 147C Argyle Street, Mong Kok) by appointment through email (mpv_booking@dh.gov.hk) or telephone booking line (2547 1900) during office hours. They can also receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at all of the DH's Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS). Further information of the clinics including their locations is available at www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcf.html and www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcm.html.

     Meanwhile, the DH's Integrated Treatment Centre in Kowloon Bay, and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital will continue to provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

     â€‹For more details, please visit the CHP's page on Mpox.

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs on August 22 and yesterday (August 23) detected two dangerous drugs cases at Hong Kong International Airport and Ma On Shan and seized a total of about 30 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and about 1.2kg of suspected cocaine, with a total estimated market value of about $8.14 million.  

     In the first case, through risk assessment, Customs on August 22 inspected a batch of air cargo consignment declared as carrying down jackets and arriving in Hong Kong from the United States. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that nine out of 19 carton boxes concealed a total of about 30kg of suspected cannabis buds. The estimated market value of the drugs was about $7.2 million. 

     After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday mounted controlled delivery operations in Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals and San Po Kong, and arrested two men, aged 43 and 42, suspected to be connected with the case.

     In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Ma On Shan at nightfall yesterday, Customs officers intercepted a 22-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman. About 1.2kg of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $940,000 was found inside a recycle bag carried by the man. The duo was then arrested.

     Investigations of the two cases are ongoing. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items in and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people. Young people should especially pay attention to the fact that drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence. Criminal conviction will result in grave repercussions for their future and they should not take risks in the hope that they will not be caught.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

    

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 24) announced that according to the latest surveillance data, local seasonal influenza activity has continued to increase in the past week and exceeded the seasonal epidemic threshold, indicating that Hong Kong has entered the summer influenza season. All sectors of the community should heighten their vigilance and enhance personal protection measures against influenza.

     From the latest surveillance data, the overall local seasonal influenza activity has increased since July. Among the respiratory specimens received by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch and the Hospital Authority, the latest weekly percentage of detections testing positive for seasonal influenza viruses was 9.83 per cent during the week ending August 19. The predominating circulating viruses were influenza A(H3).

     The overall admission rate with principal diagnosis of influenza in public hospitals was 0.43 per 10 000 population for the same week. Separately, there were seven institutional influenza-like illness outbreaks reported to the CHP affecting 40 persons in the week ending August 19. The seven outbreaks included two in kindergartens/child care centres, three in residential care homes for the elderly and two in residential care homes for persons with disabilities.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is one of the effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. The Government has rolled out in phases various SIV programmes since September last year to provide eligible members of the public with free or subsidised SIV. The various vaccination programmes in the 2022/23 season will end on August 31 whereas the SIV programmes in the next season will be launched from end-September onwards.

     The spokesman appealed to those who have yet received SIV this season to get vaccinated as soon as possible, particularly persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children. All persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications, are recommended to receive SIV for personal protection. Strict personal, hand and environmental hygiene should also be observed at all times for those who could not receive SIV on or before August 31. They should seek medical advice promptly if they develop respiratory infection symptoms.

     As of August 20, about 1.56 million doses of SIV had been administered via the Government Vaccination Programme, the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme and the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach (Free of Charge) Programme 2022/23, representing a roughly 25 per cent rise over the same period in 2021/22 season. The influenza vaccination coverage rate for the elderly aged 65 or above was about 48 per cent whereas that for toddlers and adolescents aged 6 months to below 18 years was about 40 per cent.

     The CHP will issue letters to doctors, hospitals, institutions and schools to appeal for heightened vigilance and appropriate actions. Classes will soon be resumed after summer holidays. To prevent transmission of influenza in school environments, schools are reminded to take additional measures, including actively checking the body temperature of all students every day when they arrive at school to identify those with fever. Those with fever, regardless of having respiratory symptoms or not, should not attend school. In addition, staff of schools and institutions should be alert to their own conditions every day and should refrain from work if they have fever or respiratory symptoms. Schools should promptly make a report to the CHP in the case of an increase in fever or respiratory illnesses or absenteeism for epidemiological investigations. Those who have plans to travel abroad are also reminded to pay special attention to the influenza situations of their travel destinations before departure and strengthen personal protection.

     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     â€‹For the latest information on influenza activity, please visit the CHP's influenza page and COVID-19 & Flu Express. As for vaccination, the public may visit the CHP's Vaccination Schemes page.