The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 19) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
 
     From October 12 to 18, the CHP recorded eight imported DF cases. The patients had been to Mainland China (five cases, including two epidemiologically linked cases), India (one case), Thailand (one case) and Vietnam (one case) during the incubation period. 
 
     A spokesman for the DH advised members of the public that according to the health authority of Guangdong, increasing numbers of local DF cases have been recorded in Guangdong recently, from 204 local cases in August to 948 local cases in September. The health authority of Guangdong announced that Guangdong has entered the peak season of DF and the number of local cases recorded was higher than the average in the same period from 2015 to 2017. Members of the public are reminded to adopt personal protective measures against mosquitoes to prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as DF when visiting Guangdong.

     As of yesterday (October 18), 128 cases had been confirmed this year, of which 29 were local cases and 99 were imported cases. The imported cases were mainly imported from Thailand (31), Mainland China (19) and the Philippines (16). 

     DF remains endemic in some areas of Asia and beyond. The latest figures for 2018 revealed that 66 372 cases had been recorded in Thailand, 2 252 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 145 in Japan. In Taiwan, 153 local cases have been recorded to date in 2018. In the Americas, the latest figures indicated that 44 048 cases have been filed in Mexico in 2018.
 
     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika virus infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details.

     Two distinguished Asian dancers cross khon (traditional Thai court dance) and modernist forms of hip-hop to give a new interpretation in dance in "Negotiation", to be presented this November in Hong Kong. 
 
     Khon artist Pichet Klunchun, the founder of Thailand's first contemporary dance group, and Laotian dancer-choreographer Olé Khamchanla, the initiator of the dance company KHAM in France, confront and listen to each other to interweave old and new customs. Unfolding the cultural dialogue and turning macho confrontation into fraternal harmony, the two dancers reframe the art of dance to reconnect the audience members with each other, uniting diversity and diversifying unity to fully reconcile physical, mental and spiritual being.
 
     Pichet Klunchun is one of the most audacious artists in the Thai cultural scene, bold enough to reinterpret traditional Thai choreographic culture in a new and modernised approach. He started learning khon at the age of 16 from one of the greatest masters, Chaiyot Khummanee. He is considered the only artist who has successfully developed his own art from khon.
 
     A native of Laos, Olé Khamchanla honed his skills under different masters. As a resident artist in the company A'CORPS during 1997 and 2011, he co-created several shows which established his status as a choreographer.
 
     "Negotiation" is one of the highlights of the New Vision Arts Festival (NVAF). It will be staged at 8pm on November 2 and 3 at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. Tickets priced at $140, $200 and $260 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999.
 
     Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the NVAF is celebrating its ninth edition this year and is being held from October 19 to November 18. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.newvisionfestival.gov.hk.

    

     The Government announced today (October 19) the extension of the Pilot Scheme for Arbitration on Land Premium for two years from October 24, 2018 to October 23, 2020.

     The Pilot Scheme was introduced by the Government in October 2014 for a trial period of two years initially to facilitate early agreement on land premium payable for lease modification/land exchange applications, with the objective of expediting land supply for housing and other uses. The Pilot Scheme was subsequently extended for two years until October 23, 2018.

     Given the limited number of completed arbitration cases and the general support from stakeholders to retain the avenue for arbitration, the Government has decided to extend the Pilot Scheme for another two years until October 2020 in order to allow time for both the Government and the development sector to gain more experience. Meanwhile, the Government has received feedback from stakeholders on certain implementation details of the Pilot Scheme, such as concerns over the absence of an upper limit for the arbitral award becoming a disincentive for potential applicants to come forward and calls for relaxing the thresholds for triggering arbitration. Taking into account feedback received, the Government will engage with the professionals and stakeholders concerned to explore room for refining the implementation details during the period of extension.

     The Government will continue to select suitable lease modification and land exchange cases according to the general criteria published in the Information Note relating to the Pilot Scheme, and invite applications for determination of the amount of land premium through arbitration. Private land owners can also make requests for arbitration on suitable land lease modification/land exchange applications under processing.
 
     Until mid-October 2018, the Lands Department (LandsD) issued a total of 32 invitations, of which one case has completed arbitration. In another two cases, while agreeing in principle to arbitration, the applicants decided, after consideration, to accept the land premium proposed by LandsD, hence obviating the need for arbitration. The remaining 29 invitations were declined by the applicants, who either chose to continue to negotiate the premium with the LandsD or withdrew their applications for lease modification/land exchange. In addition, the LandsD rejected an application for arbitration involving no increase in residential floor area.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 19) investigating an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in a secondary school in Tseung Kwan O, and again urged the public, schools and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     The outbreak affected 20 male students, aged 12 to 14, who have developed fever, oral ulcers, rash and vesicles over hands or feet since September 25. All of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All patients are in a stable condition.

     The stool specimen of an affected student tested positive for enterovirus (EV) upon laboratory testing.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the school and advised the management on necessary infection control and preventive measures. The school has been put under medical surveillance. Investigations are ongoing.

     "HFMD is common in children while adult cases may also appear. It is usually caused by enteroviruses (EVs) such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     "HFMD occurs throughout the year. While the disease activity is usually higher from May to July, a smaller peak may also occur from October to December. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact," the spokesman added.

     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:
 

• Maintain good air circulation;
• Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted;
• Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
• Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.

     The public may visit the CHP's page on HFMD and EV71 infection and Public Health Advice for Play Facilities for more information.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 12 open meetings and a closed meeting during the week from October 22 to 26 in the LegCo Complex.  Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change.  Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo and its Committees.  Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours.  Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.