The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, January 26, 2024 is 104.9 (up 0.3 against yesterday's index).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 26) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
      
     From January 19 to yesterday (January 25), the CHP recorded two imported DF cases. The patients had been to India (one case), and Malaysia and Indonesia (one case) respectively during the incubation period.
      
     As of yesterday, six imported cases of DF had been recorded in 2024. In 2023, 62 imported cases of DF were recorded.

     According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. Since the beginning of 2023, ongoing transmission, combined with an unexpected spike in DF cases, have resulted in close to a historic high of over five million cases and more than 5 000 dengue-related deaths reported in over 80 countries/territories. Several countries in Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh and Thailand, have reported a notable surge in dengue cases in 2023 compared to previous years, whereas the most affected countries in the Western Pacific region are the Philippines and Vietnam. As such, members of the public, while travelling abroad, should stay vigilant and carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures. Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).

     "Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     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.

     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.

     â€‹
     â€‹* 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.

     â€‹â€‹The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 26) said that one new confirmed melioidosis infection case had been recorded in the past week (January 19 to 25).

     The case involves a 47-year-old female with underlying illnesses who lives in Wong Tai Sin. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital on January 19 due to a fall with head injury, fever, cough with sputum, and left knee pain. She was admitted on the same day. She is in serious condition. Her clinical sample was confirmed positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.
 
     The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing. So far, one melioidosis infection case has been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2023, 17 melioidosis infection cases were recorded.

     A spokesman for the CHP reiterated that person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but melioidosis bacteria can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year. According to literature, infection cases are more common after typhoons or storms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei of melioidosis in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or storms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or storms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.

     The CHP reminded members of the public that melioidosis can be spread by contaminated soil and water during and after typhoons and storms. Where practicable, people should stay indoor during typhoons and storms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and do not wade in or have contact with muddy water and soil. In addition, high-risk individuals should avoid paths near stormwater drains where aerosols may be generated from contaminated water.

     Members of the public should also take the following preventive measures against infection:
 

• Avoid contact with contaminated soil;
• Wear appropriate protective clothing or footwear when participating in activities with possible contact with soil or water, e.g. using gloves and wearing boots. High-risk individuals may consider wearing a surgical mask in addition;
• Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;
• Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover any cuts or grazes with waterproof dressings;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soil or gardening;
• Observe food hygiene and avoid drinking raw water; and
• Travellers can contract the disease through outdoor water sports. Risk of infection can be minimised by avoiding exposure to water sources (such as rivers, ponds or lakes) that might be contaminated.

     The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromised conditions, in order to receive appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP at www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 26) said that one new confirmed melioidosis infection case had been recorded in the past week (January 19 to 25).

     The case involves a 47-year-old female with underlying illnesses who lives in Wong Tai Sin. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital on January 19 due to a fall with head injury, fever, cough with sputum, and left knee pain. She was admitted on the same day. She is in serious condition. Her clinical sample was confirmed positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.
 
     The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing. So far, one melioidosis infection case has been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2023, 17 melioidosis infection cases were recorded.

     A spokesman for the CHP reiterated that person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but melioidosis bacteria can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year. According to literature, infection cases are more common after typhoons or storms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei of melioidosis in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or storms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or storms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.

     The CHP reminded members of the public that melioidosis can be spread by contaminated soil and water during and after typhoons and storms. Where practicable, people should stay indoor during typhoons and storms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and do not wade in or have contact with muddy water and soil. In addition, high-risk individuals should avoid paths near stormwater drains where aerosols may be generated from contaminated water.

     Members of the public should also take the following preventive measures against infection:
 

• Avoid contact with contaminated soil;
• Wear appropriate protective clothing or footwear when participating in activities with possible contact with soil or water, e.g. using gloves and wearing boots. High-risk individuals may consider wearing a surgical mask in addition;
• Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;
• Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover any cuts or grazes with waterproof dressings;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soil or gardening;
• Observe food hygiene and avoid drinking raw water; and
• Travellers can contract the disease through outdoor water sports. Risk of infection can be minimised by avoiding exposure to water sources (such as rivers, ponds or lakes) that might be contaminated.

     The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromised conditions, in order to receive appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP at www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements in Causeway Bay, Jardine’s Lookout and Southern District on January 27 (Saturday) to facilitate the holding of a public event on Hong Kong Island.

Road Closure
—————–

     The following roads will be closed, until the crowd has dispersed and the roads are safe for re-opening:

(1)    From about 7.30am onwards:

     Stadium Path.

(2)    From about 8am onwards:

– Northbound Caroline Hill Road between Link Road and Eastern Hospital Road;
– Southbound Link Road (uphill) between Caroline Hill Road and Broadwood Road;
– Westbound Broadwood Road (downhill) between Link Road
and Ventris Road;
– Northbound Broadwood Road (downhill) between Link Road
and Tai Hang Road;
– Southbound Tai Hang Road between its eastern junction with Blue Pool Road and Broadwood Road, except for vehicles of local residents, franchised buses and green minibuses (GMBs);
– Eastbound Tai Hang Road between its western junction with Blue Pool Road and Broadwood Road, except for vehicles of local residents, franchised buses and GMBs;
– Mount Butler Road between Tai Hang Road and Price Road;
– The slow lane of eastbound Wong Nai Chung Gap Road (uphill) between the French International School and the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association Sandilands Centre; and
– If necessary, Eastern Hospital Road between Caroline Hill Road and Cotton Path.

Traffic Diversions
———————

     The following traffic diversions will be implemented, until the crowd has dispersed and the roads are safe for re-opening:

(1)    From about 7.30am onwards:

– Caroline Hill Road between its western junction with Leighton Road and Stadium Path will be re-routed one-way southbound; and
– Eastern Hospital Road between Stadium Path and Tung Lo
Wan Road will be re-routed one-way northbound.

(2)    From about 8am onwards:

– Traffic along southbound Caroline Hill Road cannot turn right to southbound Link Road (uphill);
– Traffic along northbound Link Road (downhill) may be
prohibited to turn right to southbound Caroline Hill Road and eastbound Leighton Road, and will be diverted to turn left to westbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Broadwood Road (uphill) must turn left to northbound Tai Hang Road (downhill);
– Traffic along southbound Tai Hang Road (uphill) must turn left to Perkins Road or U-turn to northbound Tai Hang Road (downhill);
– Traffic along eastbound Tai Hang Road west of its western junction with Blue Pool Road, and westbound Blue Pool Road north of Tai Hang Road will be diverted to westbound Tai Hang Road, except for vehicles of local residents, franchised buses and GMBs;
– Traffic along Mount Butler Road between Mount Butler Drive and Price Road will be re-routed one-way southbound (downhill); and
– If necessary, traffic along northbound Caroline Hill Road cannot turn right to Eastern Hospital Road.

(3)    From about 9.30am onwards:

     Traffic along Stubbs Road cannot enter the Wan Chai Gap Park area, and will be diverted to Magazine Gap Road and Coombe Road, except for vehicles of local residents.

Suspension of on-street parking spaces
—————————————————

     All on-street parking spaces on the following roads will be suspended from 6am to noon:

–    Stadium Path;
–    Caroline Hill Road; and
–    Hoi Ping Road.

     All on-street parking spaces on Coombe Road will be suspended from 6am to 3pm.

Learner drivers prohibition
———————————-

     All learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads from 6am to 3pm:

– Tai Hang Road;
– Leighton Road;
– Sharp Street East;
– Percival Street south of Hennessy Road;
– Caroline Hill Road;
– Link Road;
– Stadium Path;
– Cotton Path;
– Eastern Hospital Road;
– Eastern Hospital Road service road;
– Broadwood Road;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Gap Road;
– Southbound Stubbs Road flyover;
– Aberdeen Reservoir Road; and
– Yue Kwong Road.

Suspension of car parks
——————————-

     All car parks within the above closed road area may be suspended and vehicles may not be allowed to enter or exit the car parks, until the crowd has dispersed and the roads are safe for re-opening.

     All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.  

     Actual implementation of traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Members of the public are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.