The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) has supported Oxfam Trailwalker in Belgium for the fourth consecutive year, with the latest event held by Oxfam Solidarity Belgium on August 25 and 26.  

     This year, to raise money for charity, some 200 teams of four people made the 100-kilometre trek through the High Fens around Eupen, one of the most beautiful areas of Belgium. The teams had a maximum of 30 hours to complete the effort, with some continuing their journey through the night to the finish.

     As Trailwalker originated in Hong Kong, the event is an ideal opportunity to promote Hong Kong's many green areas and hiking trails. Trailwalker is now a worldwide event that takes place in nine countries over four continents.
       
     At Oxfam Trailwalker in Belgium this year, the Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, officiated at the opening ceremony by giving opening remarks and firing the starting gun for the trek alongside the Deputy Minister-President and Minister for Culture, Employment and Tourism of the German-speaking Community of Belgium, Ms Isabelle Weykmans.

     In her opening remarks, Miss Chau said that the strenuous effort and perseverance required to complete the arduous trail journey exemplify Hong Kong's can-do spirit. Noting that it had taken a lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort for the hikers to prepare for the challenging event, she encouraged them to persevere and get the best out of themselves in order to complete the 100km hike. She also invited participants to visit Hong Kong to discover the city's beautiful countryside and hiking trails for themselves.

      

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 27) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From August 19 to 25, two community-acquired LD cases were reported. They are:
 

1. A female patient, aged 67 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Block 29, Park Island, Tsuen Wan;
2. A male patient, aged 67 with good past health, who lives in Fu Fai Yuen, Chi Fu Fa Yuen, Southern 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 August 25, 60 LD cases had been reported in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, there were 72 and 75 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 leading to stagnant water; 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 which support breathing. People may get 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. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using these devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not tap water. Also, clean and maintain them regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water. 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;
• 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 the 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 medical advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile (not distilled or tap) water to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain them 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. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

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

     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.

     The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, visited Kwun Tong District this afternoon (August 27) to call at the Construction Innovation and Technology Application Centre (CITAC) and the Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO). He also exchanged views with members of the Kwun Tong District Council (KTDC) on environmental issues.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of the KTDC, Dr Bunny Chan, and the District Officer (Kwun Tong), Mr Steve Tse, Mr Wong first called at the CITAC, which was inaugurated by the Construction Industry Council, to learn more about the technology innovations in the construction industry. He toured a number of exhibits at the CITAC such as an indoor air quality disinfection robot and rubberised paving blocks made of waste tyres. He said that innovative technologies can reduce the time required for construction and minimise the environmental impact arising from the works.

     Mr Wong then departed for the EKEO. The temporary office building has achieved the BEAM Plus New Buildings Platinum rating endorsed by the Hong Kong Green Building Council by integrating a raft of green building features with the use of lean construction methods and low embodied energy materials, making it the first low-carbon temporary office in Hong Kong. Mr Wong was briefed by EKEO staff on various proof-of-concept green trials for smart city development, including an energy efficiency data management system, a smart recycling bin system and a multi-purpose lamp post with an air quality monitoring device. He praised the EKEO for creating a more low-carbon and liveable environment for the public by utilising innovative green technologies. Mr Wong also visited the Kwun Tong Promenade and took a bicycle ride there to see the trial greenway for cyclists and pedestrians.

     Before concluding his itinerary, Mr Wong paid a visit to the KTDC to meet with its members to listen to their views on the Government's environmental policies and learn more about their concerns on district environmental issues.

          

     The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, will leave Hong Kong in the morning of August 29 (Wednesday) for an official visit to Zhuhai and Zhongshan in Guangdong Province.
 
      Mr Yeung will meet with officials of the Zhuhai Education Bureau and the Zhongshan Education and Sports Bureau on co-operation opportunities in education along with the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He will also visit a school in Zhuhai.
 
      Mr Yeung will return to Hong Kong in the evening on the same day.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 27) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places of visit. The case is detailed below: 
 

 
     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.    

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.