Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 30) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and reminded the public of the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From December 22 to 28, the CHP recorded the following two community-acquired LD cases:
 

1. A 70-year-old male patient with underlying illnesses living in Eastern District; and
2. A 71-year-old male patient with underlying illnesses living in Tai Po District.

     “Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of December 28, 135 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2023 and 2022, there were 121 and 80 cases respectively.

     “Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels,” the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily. 

     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes: 

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     â€‹â€‹The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD. read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (December 30) the external merchandise trade statistics for November 2024. In November 2024, the values of Hong Kong’s total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 2.1% and 5.7% respectively.
 
     In November 2024, the value of total exports of goods increased by 2.1% over a year earlier to $394.7 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 3.5% in October 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 5.7% over a year earlier to $438.1 billion in November 2024, after a year-on-year increase by 4.5% in October 2024. A visible trade deficit of $43.4 billion, equivalent to 9.9% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in November 2024.
 
     For the first 11 months of 2024 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 9.1% over the same period in 2023. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 6.7%. A visible trade deficit of $345.1 billion, equivalent to 7.7% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first 11 months of 2024.
 
     Comparing the three-month period ending November 2024 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods decreased by 3.5%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods decreased by 1.4%.
 
Analysis by country/territory
 
     Comparing November 2024 with November 2023, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 3.9%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Singapore (+78.4%), Vietnam (+42.1%), the Philippines (+39.6%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+3.9%). On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the values of total exports to India (-28.8%) and Thailand (-7.7%).
 
     Apart from destinations in Asia, decreases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the Netherlands (-30.2%) and the United Kingdom (-19.7%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Taiwan (+38.6%), Singapore (+31.4%), Korea (+16.4%), the Philippines (+8.8%) and Malaysia (+8.3%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Vietnam (-19.6%). Meanwhile, the value of imports from the Mainland remained virtually unchanged.
 
     For the first 11 months of 2024 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+27.1%), Thailand (+22.5%), the Mainland (+15.7%) and the USA (+11.0%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to India (-16.2%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Korea (+32.8%), Vietnam (+29.9%), Singapore (+18.9%), the Mainland (+7.1%) and Malaysia (+6.9%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from the Philippines (-6.4%).
 
Analysis by major commodity
 
     Comparing November 2024 with November 2023, increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $10.6 billion or +28.1%) and “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $9.9 billion or +5.2%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $24.6 billion or +13.9%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $18.0 billion or +67.8%).
 
     For the first 11 months of 2024 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $183.8 billion or +10.2%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $114.1 billion or +30.8%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $164.3 billion or +9.0%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $120.0 billion or +41.7%).
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports continued to record growth in November 2024 over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland rose further, and those to many Asian markets saw increases of varying degree. Meanwhile, those to the United States and the European Union fell back. 
 
     Looking ahead, increased global economic uncertainties and escalation of trade conflicts would pose challenges to Hong Kong’s export performance, though the Mainland’s various measures to boost its economy should provide some support. The Government will monitor the situation closely.
 
Further information
 
     Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for November 2024. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2021 to November 2024, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
 
     The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for November 2024 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
 
     Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for November 2024.
 
     All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for November 2024 will be released in mid-January 2025.
 
     The November 2024 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in November 2024 and will be available in early January 2025. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230).
 
     Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4691). read more

    The Department of Health (DH) announced today (December 30) that from Wednesday (January 1, 2025), Hong Kong residents born between 1949 and 1975 will be eligible to enrol in the Government-subsidised Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme (CRCSP). The DH also urges eligible persons to participate in the CRCSP as early as possible and to adopt healthy lifestyles to prevent colorectal cancer.

     Under the CRCSP, asymptomatic Hong Kong residents aged between 50 and 75 are subsidised to undergo screening tests every two years in the private sector for the prevention of colorectal cancer.

     Participants in the CRCSP should first attend a medical consultation provided by an enrolled primary care doctor (PCD) and receive a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) screening arranged by the PCD. If the FIT result is positive, the participant will be referred to an enrolled colonoscopy specialist to receive a colonoscopy examination subsidised by the Government. If the FIT result is negative, the participant is advised to repeat the screening two years later.
 
       This year (as of December 1) there have been around 80 500 new participants in the CRCSP, which has reached a record high since its launch in 2016, bringing the total number of eligible participants to approximately 507 000 persons. A cumulative total of about 75 700 persons (15 per cent) had positive FIT screening results, about 39 000 persons (7.7 per cent) were diagnosed to have colorectal adenomas after colonoscopy examination, and about 3 300 persons (0.7 per cent) had colorectal cancer.
 
     Among the colorectal cancer cases diagnosed under the CRCSP, a preliminary analysis of around 2 400 cases revealed that about 56 per cent of these cases were in earlier stages and therefore had a more favourable prognosis.

     “Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer locally and the second most common cause of cancer death in Hong Kong. In 2022, there were 5 190 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer cases, and colorectal cancer led to 2 270 deaths. Colorectal Cancer screenings can identify people who have colorectal cancer before they present with symptoms or those at higher risk of colorectal cancer, and enable them to receive early treatment, thus significantly improving prognosis. Removing colorectal adenoma during a colonoscopy can prevent the adenoma from developing into cancer,” a spokesman for the DH said.
 
     Currently, around 1 080 PCDs have enrolled in the CRCSP, covering about 2 050 locations, and about 97 per cent of these locations will not charge any additional payment for the consultation or the FIT screening. Around 260 colonoscopy specialists have also joined the CRCSP. The colonoscopy specialists can only charge participants a co-payment of no more than $1,000 for providing standard colonoscopy examination services. Currently, colonoscopy examination services are available at about 770 service locations, with over 70 per cent of these locations not charging any additional payment for colonoscopy and polyp removal.
 
     The spokesman called on eligible persons to join the CRCSP starting at age 50 and to prevent colorectal cancer by leading a healthy lifestyle that includes exercising regularly, eating two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables daily, maintaining a healthy body weight, and avoiding smoking and alcohol drinking. Participants are also encouraged to invite eligible relatives and friends to join the CRCSP. 

     At the same time, the Primary Healthcare Commission is actively promoting the Life Course Preventive Care Plan. Based on the core principles of prevention-oriented and whole-person care, a personalised preventive care plan will be formulated to address the health needs of citizens across different life stages with reference to the latest evidence. Family doctors and primary healthcare professionals will collaborate to provide health advice and education on chronic disease and cancer screening, healthy lifestyles, and vaccination according to age, sex and personal factors such as family history, including recommendations on colorectal cancer screening for those aged 50 or above. Furthermore, as set out in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”, the Government will formulate risk-based screening programmes for prevalent cancers on a gradual basis, including breast cancer screening, exploring the use of artificial intelligence to assist lung cancer screening, and implementing hepatitis B screening to prevent liver cancer. The Government will continue to actively follow up on the relevant work.

     The years of birth for eligible persons are updated at the beginning of each year. Eligible persons who are interested in joining the CRCSP must enrol in the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHRSS). Please refer to the eHRSS website at www.ehealth.gov.hk or call the Registration Office at 3467 6300 for details.
 
     For more information on the CRCSP, please visit the DH’s thematic website www.colonscreen.gov.hk or call the dedicated hotline (3565 6288) during office hours. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, December 30, 2024 is 107.7 (up 0.1 against last Saturday’s index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, December 28, 2024 was 107.6 (down 0.1 against last Friday’s index). read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 30) reminded members of the public that the following temporary traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented on Tai Hom Road from 1am to 5.30am this Sunday (January 5) to facilitate footbridge erection works:

(A) Road closures
—————–
 
     The following road sections will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic:
 

• Tai Hom Road between Lung Poon Street and Sheung Yuen Street; and
• The slip road leading from Tai Hom Road to Tate’s Cairn Highway.

 
(B) Traffic diversions
 ——————-
 

• Affected vehicles on Fung Tak Road westbound via Lung Poon Street southbound heading for Lung Cheung Road eastbound will be diverted via Po Kong Village Road southbound, slip road, Tai Hom Road, Lung Poon Street northbound, Fung Tak Road eastbound, roundabout and Hammer Hill Road southbound; and
• Affected vehicles on Tai Hom Road heading for Tate’s Cairn Highway will be diverted via Lung Poon Street northbound, Fung Tak Road eastbound, roundabout, Hammer Hill Road southbound, slip road, Lung Cheung Road eastbound, Choi Hung Interchange, Lung Cheung Road westbound, slip road and Tate’s Cairn Highway northbound.  

 
(C) Public transport arrangements
——————————–
 
     During the above works period, the following bus routes affected by the temporary road closures will be diverted:
 

• Citybus Route Nos. E22 (Lam Tin (North) bound), E22A (Tseung Kwan O (Hong Sing Garden) bound), A28 (LOHAS Park bound), A29 (Tseung Kwan O (Po Lam) bound), N26 (Yau Tong bound), NA29 (Tseung Kwan O (Po Lam) bound) and N29 (Tseung Kwan O (Hong Sing Garden) bound);
• KMB Route Nos. 38 (Ping Tin bound), 40 (Laguna City bound) and 214 (Yau Tong bound); and
• Huanggang Short-haul cross-boundary coach service Kwun Tong Route (Kwun Tong bound).

 
     Their stops/drop-off point on Tai Hom Road or Sheung Yuen Street will be temporarily relocated to Lung Poon Street northbound near Lung Bik House. Please visit the TD’s website for details (www.td.gov.hk/en/traffic_notices/index_id_78675.html).
 
     Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on-site to guide motorists. Public transport operators will display notices informing passengers of the above temporary arrangements. The TD anticipates that the travelling time at the road sections concerned will be slightly lengthened due to the diversion arrangements. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience.
 
     Members of the public are advised to plan their journeys in advance and allow sufficient travelling time, and stay alert to the latest traffic news through the media or the TD’s mobile application “HKeMobility” or website (www.td.gov.hk). read more