Author Archives: hksar gov

     â€‹The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) today (August 8) held the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2023 Send-off Ceremony for the Hong Kong Delegation. The Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Tony Wong, presented a banner with words of blessings to the contestants who will be competing in Shanghai.

     The delegation, comprising 10 finalist teams or individuals from various enterprises and universities in Hong Kong, will participate in the Grand Final to be held from August 13 to 14 in Shanghai, where they will compete with 10 finalist teams from the Mainland for top four honours and the Grand Award of the competition.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Wong said that the OGCIO and the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization jointly organised the competition for the first time this year. The aim is to deepen the knowledge of enterprises and technology talent in both places on open data and relevant applications through data co-operation and exchanges, with a view to enhancing understanding on open data’s multifarious benefits and advantages, and to enter a new era of co-operation between Hong Kong and Shanghai. He also wished the 10 Hong Kong finalists a great victory and success.

     During their visit to Shanghai, the Hong Kong delegation will also showcase their technology solutions at the competition’s exhibition and conduct one-on-one meetings with representatives from the Mainland technology industry to explore business opportunities and exchange views on the infinite potential brought about by data. They will also visit several local renowned innovation and technology corporations to gain insights on the ecosystem and development of data application on the Mainland.

      Commencing in Hong Kong in April this year with the theme “Co-creating a Data Industry Platform for the Two Cities”, the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2023 gathers contestants from the Mainland and Hong Kong to incorporate available open data sets, with an aim to explore the development capacity of data collaboration and promote the synergy of smart city development between Hong Kong and Shanghai. Details of the competition are available on the thematic website (hkshadata.org/).

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 8) investigating a case of invasive meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons.

     The case involves a 54-year-old male with good past health, who presented with fever, headache and malaise since August 4. He attended Canossa Hospital on August 5 and was admitted for treatment. His clinical diagnosis was meningococcaemia. The patient is now in stable condition. His blood sample tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis upon laboratory testing.

      Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His household contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. The CHP’s investigation is continuing.

     “Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is mainly transmitted by direct contact through respiratory secretions, including droplets from the nose and throat, from infected persons. The incubation period varies from two to 10 days, and is commonly three or four days,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The clinical picture may vary. Severe illness may result when the bacteria invade the bloodstream (meningococcaemia) or the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis).

     Meningococcaemia is characterised by a sudden onset of fever, intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases. Meningococcal meningitis is characterised by high fever, severe headache and a stiff neck followed by drowsiness, vomiting, fear of bright light, or a rash. It can cause brain damage or even death. The brain damage may lead to intellectual impairment, mental retardation, hearing loss and electrolyte imbalance. Invasive meningococcal infection can be complicated by arthritis, inflammation of the heart muscle, inflammation of the posterior chamber of the eye or chest infection.

     Meningococcal infection is a serious illness. Patients should be treated promptly with antibiotics.

     To prevent meningococcal infection, members of the public are advised to take heed of the following measures:
 

• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing, and clean hands with alcohol-based handrub when they are not visibly soiled;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with a tissue, dispose of nasal and mouth discharge in a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands immediately;
• Avoid crowded places;
• Avoid close contact with patients who have a fever or severe headache;
• Travellers to high-risk areas may consult doctors for meningococcal vaccination; and
• Travellers returning from high-risk areas should seek medical advice if they become ill, and should discuss their recent travel history with their doctor.

     â€‹The public may visit the CHP’s website for more information on meningococcal infection. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (August 8) that it is investigating two confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) cases, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are strongly advised to receive Mpox vaccination.

     The first case involves a 57-year-old male patient with good past health. He had developed a rash since July 27 and had an enlarged lymph node since August 4. He visited the Wan Chai Male Social Hygiene Clinic of the DH on the same day. He has been admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital and he is in stable condition.
 
     The other case involves a 47-year-old male patient with underlying illness. He had developed a localised skin ulcer since July 30. He visited the Yau Ma Tei Male Social Hygiene Clinic of the DH on August 2. He has been admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital and he is in stable condition.

     Initial investigations revealed that both cases had high-risk exposures in Hong Kong during their respective incubation periods. The CHP has not yet identified epidemiological linkages between these two patients. No epidemiological linkages between these two cases and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far either. The CHP’s epidemiological investigations of the cases are ongoing, including contact tracing and infection source investigations. The CHP will report the cases to the World Health Organization.

     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 rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches.

     The CHP reminds members of the public that Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. Proper personal and hand hygiene can help prevent getting infected via contact.

     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. read more

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs on August 4 and 5 detected three smuggling cases of tobacco products in Kwai Chung and Tuen Mun, and seized about 11 million suspected illicit cigarettes and about 1 400 kilograms of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco products in total. The total estimated market value was about $49 million, with a duty potential of about $32 million.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers on August 4 at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound selected for inspection a 40-foot seaborne container, declared as carrying household products, arriving in Hong Kong from Vietnam. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 6.4 million suspected illicit cigarettes therein.

     On the same afternoon, Customs conducted an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Tuen Mun and intercepted a lorry at a car park in an industrial building on Tin Hau Road. About 2 million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized inside the lorry, marking the successful detection of the second case. Two men, aged 28 and 38, suspected to be connected with the case, were arrested. 

     In the third case, Customs officers seized about 2.6 million suspected illicit cigarettes and about 1 400kg of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco products in an industrial building on Tsing Yeung Circuit, Tuen Mun, in the evening of August 5. A 35-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.

     After preliminary investigations, Customs believes that the suspected illicit cigarettes and duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco products seized in the above three cases would have been transshipped to Australia.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis, and step up enforcement actions to combat smuggling of illicit cigarettes. 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.

     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years. 

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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/).

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     Police today (August 8) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Mong Kok.      Kwan Tsan-sang, aged 82, went missing after he was last seen at the junction of Nathan Road and S… read more