The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 11) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Huelva Province of Andalucía in Spain, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 80 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 32 000 poultry eggs from Spain in the first six months of this year.

     â€‹"The CFS has contacted the Spanish authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

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 Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited relating to a fraudulent website and phishing email, which has 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 e-mails 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 website or email concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Education Bureau (EDB), together with the Hong Kong Special Schools Council (HKSSC) and the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), organised the "Variety Show of Special School Students – Let Your Love Shine 2022" today (August 11). Showcasing the diverse talents of special school students in Hong Kong, this large-scale joint school event was attended by 62 special schools to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It is also aimed at enhancing public understanding of special education in Hong Kong.

     Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said that the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to special education, and supports schools to cater for students with special educational needs (SEN) through a dual track of special education and integrated education. The EDB has been rendering considerable resources and professional support to schools, and providing professional training for teachers.

     Dr Choi pointed out that the EDB continuously reviews the development of special education, and supports schools to help students overcome limitations and difficulties so that they could develop their potential and gradually become independent persons with adaptability and self-learning abilities.

     She encouraged students to take a proactive and optimistic attitude to embrace challenges. She also hoped that professionals from different sectors in society could work in collaboration with the Government to care for and support students with SEN, so that every student could benefit, grow up in a caring environment and excel in society.

     The variety show was held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai, featuring a range of performances. About 100 students joined the performances, including a dragon dance, fitness exercises, martial arts, a wheelchair dance, piano trio, etc. Moreover, the music video of the theme song "Let Love Shine 2022", chorused by students from 62 special schools, was played.

     Other officiating guests included the Permanent Honourable President of the HKSSC, Professor Ma Si-hang, and the Vice President (Academic) and Provost of the EdUHK, Professor Lee Chi-kin. More than 400 guests, special school principals, teachers, students and parents enjoyed the wonderful performances of the students. The variety show was webcast live and barrier-free with sign language interpretation and audio descriptions so as to cater for persons with hearing and visual impairments.

     The EDB has specifically launched the "Let Love Shine" website (shine2022.edb.gov.hk) to introduce the features, facilities and learning and teaching resources of special schools, and to showcase the learning activities and creative works of special school students. The website contains a quiz game "Special Education Challenge” to enhance the public's understanding of special education in Hong Kong.

        

     â€‹A Government spokesman announced today (August 11) that the supply of fresh food from the Mainland yesterday (August 10) was sufficient and stable.

     According to the latest information, the quantity of vegetables supplied from the Mainland to Hong Kong yesterday (as of midnight) by land and water transportation was about 2 700 tonnes, comparable to the average daily supply from the Mainland on a normal day. The volume of vegetables sold through the wholesale markets of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Vegetable Marketing Organization was about 656 tonnes. The average wholesale prices of choi sum and pak choi stood at $6.30 and $7.00 per catty respectively yesterday. The supply of eggs to the wholesale market remained steady, with the average daily supply standing at about 3.6 million for the past week, comparable to the average daily supply on a normal day last year.

     The total supply of chilled meat from the Mainland yesterday was about 42 tonnes. The supply of live pigs was plentiful.

     The supply of chilled poultry from the Mainland was over 170 000 head yesterday, and about 8 000 live chickens were slaughtered locally. The supply was abundant.

     Regarding the rice supply, in compliance with the requirement by the Government, stockholders of rice have to maintain the reserve stock of rice at a level sufficient for consumption by the local population for 15 days. The trade generally stocks double the required amount, which is sufficient for one month's consumption by Hong Kong citizens. In recent years, the import and consumption of rice in Hong Kong has stood at a steady level of around 320 000 to 330 000 tonnes per year. The import quantity (including reserve stock) as of end-June 2022 was 30 400 tonnes. Suppliers also maintain a reserve for food that can be stored, such as frozen meat, for around three months' stock generally.

     The Government will continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland authorities and major food suppliers to ensure a stable food supply.

     The AFCD updates and publishes the fresh food supply information daily. Members of the public may visit the AFCD website for updates on daily supplies and wholesale prices of fresh food (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/agriculture/agr_fresh/agr_fresh.html).

     A man who went missing in Kwun Tong has been located.

     Tung Wing-kin, aged 19, went missing after he left his residence on Tung Yan Street on August 6 evening. His family reported to the Police on the next day.

     The man returned to his residence on August 9 afternoon. He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.