Police conducted a territory-wide operation between November 9 and November 17 to combat illegal road racing activities and related speeding offences to reduce traffic accidents.

     During the operation, Police arrested two persons for dangerous driving and speeding, and detained 31 vehicles for examination. Police detected 919 vehicles for speeding, and issued nine summonses and 469 fixed penalty tickets for various traffic offences.

     In addition, Police conducted screening breath test on 31 drivers. Among them, six drivers were unable to pass the screening breath test and were arrested.

     Police appeal to motorists to be responsible and safe road users. They are urged not to speed or drive after consuming alcohol. Convicted offenders will be liable to a fine, have their driving licenses suspended or sentenced to imprisonment. Police will continue to target dangerous and careless driving behaviours.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 18) closely monitoring an additional plague case affecting a man aged 55 in Inner Mongolia.

     According to the Health Commission in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the male patient had consumed a hare before onset. He was diagnosed to have bubonic plague on November 16 and has been admitted to hospital for treatment. His close contacts have remained asymptomatic so far, and no epidemiological linkage with the recent two pneumonic plague cases diagnosed in Beijing has been identified.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, "Plague is transmitted from an infected animal (mainly rodents) to humans through the bite of its fleas. Plague can also be contracted when cuts or other breaks in the skin come into contact with the body fluid or tissue of infected animals."

     Bubonic plague is a kind of plague which is not usually transmitted directly from person to person unless there is contact with pus from suppurating buboes. Patients infected with bubonic plague usually present with fever, headache and painful swelling of the regional lymph nodes, especially around the groin. The infection can progress to septicaemic plague when the bacteria invade the blood stream.  

     The spokesman reminded travellers to avoid visiting plague-endemic areas. They should also heighten vigilance on rodents and prevent flea bites. Insect repellents against mosquitoes may equally prevent flea bites and blood-sucking insects. Formulations in lotions or sprays should contain DEET, IR3535 or icaridin (also known as picaridin) as active ingredients. The public should refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents.

     "Travellers returning from affected areas with sudden onset of fever, shaking chills, body pains or chest discomfort should seek medical advice as soon as possible and reveal their travel history for prompt investigation and management. Plague is a statutorily notifiable disease and doctors should report suspected or confirmed cases to the CHP for investigations and control," the spokesman added.

     Travellers should take heed of the health advice below during travel:
 

• Prevent flea bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and applying insect repellent/insecticide. DEET-containing insect repellent can be applied to exposed skin and clothing, while insecticide containing permethrin can be applied to clothing, not the skin;
• Avoid going to rural areas, camping or hunting;
• Never touch rodents, dead animals and their tissues or contaminated materials;
• Avoid close contact with patients, especially those with cough or chest infection;
• Avoid going to crowded areas;
• Seek medical care immediately in case of sudden onset of fever, chills, painful lymph nodes, difficulty in breathing with coughing and/or blood-tainted sputum; and
• Consult a doctor immediately after contact or exposure to pneumonic plague patients or high-risk exposures, such as bites from fleas or direct contact with body fluids or tissues of potentially infected animals, for prompt assessment of the need for preventive medication.

     Travellers may visit the CHP's plague page, Travel Health News and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department's advice on rodent control for details.

     The Immigration Department announced today (November 18) that due to special incidents occurring in Mong Kok, the West Kowloon Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre will be closed at 6pm.

     Members of the public who have appointments for today may proceed to the Replacement Centre on later days for identity card replacement and they need not make another appointment. Subject to the actual circumstances of various districts, individual Replacement Centres may close earlier at any time. Before proceeding to the Replacement Centres, applicants are advised to check the latest government press releases or call the Replacement Centres.
 

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:
 
     "The Social Welfare Department announces that as there are still uncertain factors affecting the roads and traffic conditions, members of the public are advised not to take their children or family members to child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres or day rehabilitation units including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres and day activity centres from November 19 to 24. These centres will, however, remain open during their normal operating hours to serve those whose families cannot provide alternative care for them. Members of the public who have the need for the services mentioned may contact the service units concerned in advance."

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (November 18) that due to special circumstances which happened nearby, all facilities in Kowloon Park (including the Yau Tsim Mong District Leisure Services Offices, Kowloon Park Sports Centre and Kowloon Park Swimming Pool), Kwun Chung Sports Centre, King's Park Hockey Ground, the tennis courts of King's Park Playground, the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum, Tsim Sha Tsui Public Library, Yau Ma Tei Public Library, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Yau Ma Tei Theatre in Yau Tsim Mong District are closed to ensure the safety of venue users and staff members. The department will closely monitor the situation and announce venue arrangements in a timely manner.

     Also taking into consideration transportation service disruptions and other circumstances which may happen, all LCSD land-based leisure facilities (except those in Islands District) will be closed at 9pm today and all public swimming pools including Tung Chung Swimming Pool in Islands District will be closed by the end of the second session break for swimming pools. Other land-based leisure facilities in Islands District will be closed at 8pm. All students' study rooms of LCSD libraries in all districts will be closed at 8pm.

     Apart from the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Yau Ma Tei Theatre which have already been closed, all performance venues will be closed after 6pm or completion of events.

     Subject to the situation, more cultural and leisure facilities in the same districts and any other district which may be affected will also be closed early and at short notice to ensure the safety of venue users. Members of the public who plan to go to those venues are advised to visit the LCSD website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/index.html) or contact 1823 in advance.