The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 18) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting five persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

     The first cluster involved two females, aged 29 and 30, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and fever about 13.5 to 15 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 15.

     The other cluster involved three females, aged 22 to 49, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and fever about 13 to 14 hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on the same day.

     Three of the affected persons sought medical advice and two of them required hospitalisation. All affected persons are in stable condition.

     Initial investigations of the CHP revealed that the affected persons had consumed common food and the food concerned was pancake. The poisoning might have been caused by Salmonella.
 
     The personnel from the CHP and the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today conducted an inspection at the restaurant. The CHP's investigation is ongoing.
     
     To prevent foodborne 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;
• Pre-cooked or leftover foods should be stored and reheated properly before consumption;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet. 

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 120 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $28 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on August 15.

     Through risk assessment, Customs on that day inspected a seaborne consignment, declared as carrying chickpeas and arriving in Hong Kong from Canada, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds concealed inside 10 carton boxes.

     After a follow-up investigation and a controlled delivery operation, Customs officers yesterday (August 17) arrested two local men, aged 31 and 46, who were suspected to be connected with the case in Tin Shui Wai.

     The two arrested men were laid a holding charge jointly with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 19).

     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 into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs. Importation of products (including food or drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of those products.

     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/).

  

     Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation yesterday (August 17) to combat the online sales of counterfeit perfume and cosmetics products. Preliminary figures show that about 3 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including perfumes, cosmetics products and accessories, with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million, were involved in the operation. Three persons were arrested.
      
     Customs earlier received information alleging that suspected counterfeit perfume and cosmetics products were put on sale through several online platforms. Customs officers then conducted detection and analysis through a big-data analytics system and targeted a number of online platform accounts for investigation. 
      
     After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement actions yesterday and detected two cases of selling suspected counterfeit goods on a self-developed website and online platforms. A residential premises in Tsuen Wan and an industrial unit in Cheung Sha Wan were also searched, resulting in seizures of the batch of suspected counterfeit goods.
      
     During the operation, one man and two women, aged between 24 and 37, were arrested.

     An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out. Also, Customs is looking into the source of the suspected counterfeit goods involved in the cases, and samples will be sent to the Government Laboratory for safety testing.

     Customs reminds customers to purchase goods at reputable shops or online shops and to avoid conducting transactions with suspicious online shops. Customers should check with trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.

     Customs has been striving to protect consumer rights and carries out inspections in the market and on the Internet from time to time. Moreover, Customs officers use a big-data analytics system to conduct risk assessments and analyses to verify whether online shops have complied with the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) with a view to safeguarding the interests of consumers while making online purchases.

     Under the TDO, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing 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).

  

     â€‹The Department of Health (DH) and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (August 18) which aims at leveraging the latest innovation and technology (I&T) to expedite digitalisation for public health functions while fostering an innovation-driven culture in the healthcare sector. This strategic partnership is conducive to better equipping the DH for the ever-evolving public health challenges, and also supports the smart government strategy.
      
     Under the MOU, the DH and the HKSTP will, over the next three years, jointly explore innovative solutions across four key areas of the DH's public health functions, namely (i) health regulatory affairs; (ii) health protection and health promotion; (iii) health administration; and (iv) dental and clinical services.
      
     This collaborative effort will primarily focus on six crucial public health application areas, including (i) smart health regulatory functions; (ii) smart clinics; (iii) smart workflow re-engineering; (iv) smart customer services; (v) online engagement; and (vi) data collaboration.  
      
     By identifying suitable innovative solutions for the DH, tech ventures can also test their tailor-made solutions in real-life operating environments.  
      
     Witnessed by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; and the Chairman of the HKSTP, Dr Sunny Chai, the MOU was signed by the Head, Health Informatics and Technology Office of the DH, Dr Liza To, and the Chief Executive Officer of the HKSTP, Mr Albert Wong.
      
     Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Sun said that the Government has been adopting a multipronged approach to encourage various departments, and public and private organisations in expediting implementation of digital economy and smart city initiatives in different areas. As the Government's adviser on health matters, the DH has been actively responding to the general direction of implementing smart government initiatives and making good use of data. He believed that this collaboration between the DH and the HKSTPC, coupled with the application of technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and big data analysis, which have been developing rapidly in Hong Kong in recent years, will bring a new impetus to Hong Kong's public health services and benefit the public at large. This will also inspire more I&T companies to work with government departments to develop appropriate digitalisation or intelligence solutions for different public services.
      
     Dr Lam, remarked in his opening speech that the DH, being the Government's health advisor and agency to execute health policies and statutory functions, has long been providing unwavering support in promoting the application of I&T in public health. Driven by the imperatives brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the DH recognises the pivotal role of I&T in effectively addressing evolving public health challenges. These challenges encompass not only new and known communicable diseases, but also the risk factors and life-styles related to non-communicable diseases, health regulatory aspects, and more. Dr Lam encouraged all healthcare professionals to embrace I&T and cultivate an environment of continuous innovation within the department. In the coming years, the DH will continue to collaborate with the industry and academia to create a vibrant public health ecosystem that fosters I&T, achieving a mutually beneficial outcome. 
      
     Dr Chai, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership and said, "Our alliance with the DH marks an exciting chapter in improving public services. Leveraging our broad network of proven innovative solutions, we aim to enhance public health services through the integration of I&T. We are eager to extend our collaboration with additional government departments, offering HKSTP companies the chance to pilot innovative concepts and thereby infuse public services with a new wave of technological momentum. This aligns with our commitment to contribute to the evolution of a smarter Hong Kong."
      
     This landmark collaboration marks a significant milestone in the journey toward digital transformation in public health. The DH and the HKSTP are poised to drive innovation and contribute to building a healthy Hong Kong.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund:
 
     The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund held a ceremony today (August 18) to award scholarships to 10 outstanding young talents in music and dance.
      
     The 10 scholarship recipients were Miss Sheena Hui, Mr Kung Ka-ho, Miss Andrea Lam, Miss Lam Ka-wing, Mr Alex Lau, Mr Kenneth Li, Miss Bowie Ma, Mr Anson Wong, Miss Alvina Yang, and Miss Yau Ka-hei. They thanked the Fund for its generous support and expressed their commitment to making the best use of the opportunity to further pursue their studies in Hong Kong or overseas. In addition, they showcased their talents at the ceremony by delivering short performances live or via video.
      
     This year's scholarships, valued at a total of HK$5.25 million, will support the awardees in pursuing their further education in the field of music or dance in Hong Kong or overseas, encouraging them to contribute to the development of arts in Hong Kong upon completion of their studies.
      
     Attending the ceremony were the Board Chairman of the Fund, Professor Douglas So; the Principal Assistant Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism (Culture), Dr Iona Sham; the Executive Manager, Charities (Sports, Culture & Community Engagement) of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Winnie Yip; Board members of the Fund Professor Gillian Choa, Dr Connie Lau, Ms Cherry Leung and Dr Daniel Lo; the Chairperson Mr Warren Lee and member Professor Ray Wang of the Music Audition Panel; Music Pre-screening Panel member Dr Lam Fung; and the Chairperson Professor Yiu Song-lam, the Vice-Chairperson Ms Gigi Yiu and members Mr Li Long-hin, Dr Letty Poon, Ms Phoebe Tam and Mr Ronny Wong of the Executive Committee of the Fund's Awardees Association.
      
     The Fund was set up in 1980 with a $10 million donation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for the promotion and development of music and dance education and training in Hong Kong. In 1994, a further capital injection of $22 million was provided by the Trust to meet an increasing demand for financial support. In 2014, the Trust approved an additional funding of more than $16 million to implement a six-year pilot project which included the launching of a local scholarship scheme for post-graduate studies in addition to the established non-local studies music and dance scholarship scheme, and the setting up of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund Awardees Association. Upon completion of the pilot project in 2020, the Trust provided a three-year funding support of $5.68 million for the Fund to sustain the local scholarship scheme and support the operation of the Awardees Association. This year, the Trust approved a further funding of $15 million to support the non-local scholarship scheme for another three years. To date (including this year), the Fund has awarded 379 scholarships, amounting to about $87.14 million.