The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 16) investigating a case of suspected food poisoning, and hence reminded the public to beware of vegetables containing calcium oxalate raphide.

     The female patient, aged 49, developed tongue pain and swelling, lip pain and swelling, epigastric pain and slurring of speech shortly after consuming a wild taro at home in Tuen Mun yesterday (August 15). She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital on the same day. She is now in a serious condition. The clinical diagnosis was suspected calcium oxalate raphide poisoning.

     Initial investigations revealed that the wild taro the patient had consumed was picked near her residence. The CHP's investigation is ongoing.

     Taro is a popular ingredient used to prepare various dishes and desserts. However, some plants look like taro but contain toxins which can cause food poisoning. Those containing calcium oxalate raphide (a needle-shaped crystal of the chemical) can injure the skin and mucous membranes and cause irritation, such as numbness and burning sensation of the tongue, mouth and lips, and swelling of the tongue and lips. Consumption of vegetables accidentally mixed with calcium oxalate raphide-containing plants may also cause food poisoning.

     Members of the public should:
 

• Not pick and consume wild plants;
• Purchase vegetables from reliable suppliers; and
• Remove any plants mixed with edible vegetables and wash them thoroughly before cooking and consumption.

     The public may visit the pages on Food Poisoning Related to the Giant Alocasia and Calcium Oxalate Food Poisoning of the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for more information and health advice.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (August 16) announced the two-week drug replacement exercise for the anti-hypertensive drug Valtensin will end tomorrow (August 17) as scheduled. In response to the earlier announcement by the Department of Health (DH) to recall an anti-hypertensive drug, Valtensin (80mg tablets and 160mg tablets, containing the active drug ingredient valsartan), which was found to contain an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine, public hospitals started to provide patients with an optional drug replacement from August 4 for two weeks.
 
     As of yesterday (August 15), over 3,000 patients had their drugs replaced under the exercise. In addition, some other patients concerned had their medications reviewed during their follow-up consultations. 
 
     The HA earlier announced the setting up of drug replacement counters at 18 designated public hospitals during the period from August 4 to 17 for patients who had been dispensed with the drug Valtensin on or before July 6 to opt for replacement with an alternative supply of valsartan tablets from other suppliers.
 
     "The drug replacement counters at the 18 designated public hospitals will cease to operate at 9pm tomorrow. Afterwards, those who did not have their drugs replaced but would like to do so can go to the pharmacies of the same 18 public hospitals (see list below) from next Monday (August 20) for drug replacement during office hours," the spokesperson added.
 
     All public hospitals have already ceased to dispense the drug concerned, Valtensin (80 mg tablets and 160mg tablets), since July 6 in response to the DH recall. The spokesperson stressed that according to the assessment of clinical experts, there is no immediate risk to patients for continual intake of the drug. The experts are also of the view that an abrupt stop in taking the drug might cause an adverse effect on a patient's condition. Hence, patients who were dispensed with the drug are recommended to not stop taking it until they attend their next follow-up consultations, in which the patients would be prescribed with the appropriate replacement medication after medical assessment.
 
     "Patients who choose to replace their drugs on hand should bring along their ID card with the drugs, or ask their delegate to bring along a copy of the patient's ID card and the drugs on hand, and go to any of the pharmacies of the 18 designated public hospitals as listed below for drug replacement after verification by the pharmacist on their respective dispensing records. No payment is required for the drug replacement."
 
     The HA will also continue to closely liaise with the DH on the matter.  

     The pharmacies of 18 designated public hospitals are listed below:
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Currency Section of the HKMA Information Centre (Information Centre) was reopened to the public with a fresh new look today (August 16).
 
     In light of the launch of the 2018 New Series Hong Kong Banknotes, the Currency Section of the Information Centre has undergone a complete revamp to introduce the design, security features, production process, and other fun facts about Hong Kong currency notes and coins in a more interactive way, including using educational games, multimedia displays and mechanical devices. Apart from exhibiting the notes and coins currently in circulation in Hong Kong, the newly revamped Currency Section also features a new interactive device which displays the electronic images of the designs of Hong Kong currency notes issued over the past 150 years and coins in circulation over the past 60 years. Another spotlight of the redesigned Currency Section is a new art installation "Chanting Notes", a bauhinia tree created with shredded currency notes, which contrasts nicely with another artwork currently exhibited in the Information Centre called "Small Change, Big Ode" that is made up of Hong Kong coins. Members of the public are welcome to visit the Information Centre.
 
     For more information, please visit our website.
 
Opening Hours of the Information Centre (Free admission)

 
Address: 55/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central
Enquiries to the Information Centre: 2878 1111

      

     The prize presentation ceremony for the Design Ideas Competition of the "Pilot Study on Underground Space Development in Selected Strategic Urban Areas" was held at the City Gallery today (August 16). A roving exhibition showcasing about 30 entries for the proposed planning and design of underground space development at Kowloon Park was also launched.

     Addressing the ceremony, the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said he was delighted to see that the entries demonstrated creativity and integrated artistic elements and sustainable development into their design. The design ideas have also outlined the development concept for creating a coherent, connected, high quality and vibrant network of underground space.

     The Director of Planning, Mr Raymond Lee, said at the ceremony that the innovative ideas and creative designs from the community would help inspire urban planners to think from a new perspective and find new directions in urban planning. The design concepts of the winning entries would be used as references in enhancing the overall design concepts for future underground space development.

     The panel of judges commended the winning entries for being able to effectively make use of simple and innovative design to integrate underground space with the ground environment, and have at the same time improved pedestrian connectivity and created additional space for the public.

     Jointly organised by the Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Planning Department, the Design Ideas Competition of the "Pilot Study on Underground Space Development in Selected Strategic Urban Areas" set Kowloon Park in the Tsim Sha Tsui West Strategic Urban Area as the design framework. The panel of judges consisted of representatives from various professional bodies including the architectural, engineering, surveying, planning, urban design and landscape architecture sectors. For more information about the roving exhibition on the competition entries, please visit www.urbanunderground.gov.hk/DesignComp.php?locale=en.

        

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 Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited on fraudulent websites and phishing email, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the websites concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the websites should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.