Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 29) reminded members of the public to observe personal and environmental hygiene, and follow travel health advice on some infectious diseases for better protection for themselves and their families during travel in the summer vacation.

A. Mosquito-borne diseases

     There are numerous mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever (DF), Japanese encephalitis (JE), malaria, yellow fever and Zika virus infection. Among them, DF remains an endemic infection in some countries and areas in Southeast Asia, while yellow fever is endemic in various countries and areas in Africa and Central and South America.

     The CHP continues to record imported DF cases in Hong Kong. From June 22 to 28, two new cases were confirmed and the patients had been to Thailand (one case) and Vietnam (one case) in the incubation period.

     As of yesterday (June 28), among the 39 cases in 2018, 17 were imported from Thailand, followed by the Philippines (eight) and Cambodia (four), with no local cases so far.
 
     DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia and overseas. In Guangdong, there were 38 cases in the first five months of this year. The latest figures for 2018 reveal that 22 539 cases have been recorded in Thailand, 1 353 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 59 in Japan.

     “Although symptoms of first infection are usually mild, the public should note that subsequent infections with other serotypes are more likely to result in severe dengue, which may progress to shock or death. If symptoms such as fever develop during travel, seek medical advice immediately for prompt diagnosis and treatment,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, travellers should observe the CHP’s special notes in their trip:
 

• Currently, vaccines are available as preventive measures against yellow fever and JE, while anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis is also available. Members of the public planning to travel to affected areas should consult their doctors for advice on vaccination or chemoprophylaxis. Travellers planning to receive yellow fever vaccination and travel health medical advice should arrange travel health consultation with the DH’s Travel Health Service (THS) at least six to eight weeks before the trip;
• Apart from adopting general measures, applying DEET-containing insect repellents is also an effective measure against mosquitoes. The public may refer to the CHP’s tips for using insect repellents for details;
• During the trip, if travelling in endemic rural areas, carry a portable bed net and apply permethrin (an insecticide) on it. Permethrin should not be applied to the skin. Seek medical attention promptly if feeling unwell; and
• Travellers returning from DF and Zika virus infection affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days and at least 21 days respectively upon arrival.

 
B. Measles
 
     Measles remains an endemic infection in many places around the world. In Southeast Asia, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), as of June 7, the 12-month measles incidence (number of cases per million population) had reached 79.0, 72.4, 24.7 and 24.3 in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia respectively. In Europe, there were marked increases in measles cases in recent months, with the highest 12-month incidence (number of cases per million population) in Greece (255.6), Romania (108.3), Italy (66.6) and France (36.4). The measles incidence levels in these countries are far higher than that of Hong Kong, which was 1.4 cases per million population in the previous 12 months.
 
     “Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. As the summer vacation is approaching, members of the public who are planning to travel to places with high incidence or outbreaks of measles should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially non-locally born people who might not have received measles vaccination during childhood. Information on the history of measles vaccination in Hong Kong is available from the CHP’s measles page,” the spokesman said.
 
     “Those with incomplete vaccination, unknown vaccination history or unknown immunity against measles are urged to consult their doctor for advice on measles vaccination at least two weeks before departure. Pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy who are not immune to measles as well as children aged under 1 year who are not due for the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella combined vaccine under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme are advised not to travel to places with outbreaks of measles,” the spokesman added.

C. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

     As countries in the Middle East, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), continue to record cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), travellers should remain vigilant on the disease activity and avoid high-risk behaviour.

     “Studies show that humans were infected through direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels, which are a major host for MERS Coronavirus and an animal source of infection in humans. Human-to-human transmission can also occur through close contact. We again urge travellers to the Middle East to avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels,” the spokesman said.

     To date, 2 220 cases have been reported to the WHO, with at least 790 deaths. There have been 2 003 cases in 10 Middle East countries including 1 844 in the KSA, 87 in the United Arab Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 19 in Qatar, 11 in Oman, six in Iran, four in Kuwait, two in Lebanon and one each in Yemen and Bahrain.

     Travellers may refer to the latest Travel Health News easily by selecting a destination or disease on the front page of the DH’s THS. Health advice on DF, MERS, Zika virus infection and avian influenza are available for the public’s easy reference. Travellers returning to Hong Kong who are feeling unwell should seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor.

     The CHP has also prepared easy-to-read infographics (see attachments) for the public and travellers on necessary health precautions both locally and during travel. read more

     Around 200 representatives from over 70 business organisations, social enterprises, statutory bodies and social sectors attended the “Unleashing Rehabilitated Offenders’ Potential” Employment Symposium today (June 29) to discuss how to assist rehabilitated offenders to reintegrate into the community through employment.

     The Symposium, which was the ninth of its kind, was jointly held by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) and the Centre for Criminology of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), providing an academic platform for discussion of employment issues relating to rehabilitated offenders. The Symposium also included employers who had hired rehabilitated offenders sharing details of their experiences as well as rehabilitated persons talking about their reintegration into the community. In addition, the event called on the public and employers to offer fair job opportunities and treatment to rehabilitated offenders to help them reintegrate into society.

     The theme of the Symposium was “Unleashing Rehabilitated Offenders’ Potential”. The event was officiated by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, as well as the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Lam Kwok-leung; the Acting Director of the Centre for Criminology of HKU, Professor Maggy Lee, and the Chairman of the Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders, Mr Siu Chor-kee. The Symposium was launched with the planting of a tree, with the growth of the tree symbolising the success of concerted efforts by all sectors of the community in helping offenders to reintegrate. With constant support from all stakeholders, it is expected that rehabilitated offenders will be able to unleash their potential and contribute towards making a better society.

     At the Symposium, academics, business people and employers from various fields exchanged views on the importance of job opportunities for rehabilitated offenders, their experiences in hiring them and the function of CSD supervision staff in job-matching between rehabilitated offenders and employers. Arrangements were also made for rehabilitated offenders under statutory supervision to talk about their path towards rehabilitation, including their career development and social recognition through hard work.

     Dr Law and Mr Lam presented awards to companies which had offered jobs to rehabilitated offenders, in recognition of their support for offender rehabilitation. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, June 29, 2018 is 102.2 (same as yesterday’s index). read more

     The Government received a total of 1,564 requests for information under the Code on Access to Information in the fourth quarter of 2017, a spokesman for the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau said today (June 29).

     The total number of requests received since the introduction of the Code in March 1995 and up to the end of December 2017 amounted to 61,338. Of these, 3,627 requests were subsequently withdrawn by the requestors and 2,975 requests covered cases in which the bureaux/departments concerned did not hold the requested information. As at December 31, 2017, 244 requests were still being processed by bureaux/departments.

     Among the 54,492 requests which covered information held by bureaux/departments and which the bureaux/departments had responded to, 53,196 requests (97.6 per cent) were met, either in full (51,989 requests) or in part (1,207 requests), and 1,296 requests (2.4 per cent) were refused.

     Any member of the public who is dissatisfied with the response of a bureau/department under the Code may request that the matter be reviewed. He or she may also lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman.

     In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Ombudsman received 20 complaints relating to requests for information. In this quarter, the Ombudsman concluded 27 complaints, among which five were unsubstantiated, 20 were settled after inquiries by the Ombudsman, and two were not pursued by the Ombudsman or outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. As at December 31, 2017, the Ombudsman’s investigations on 24 complaints were ongoing.

     “The Code has provided an effective framework for the public to seek access to information held by the Government,” the spokesman said. read more

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, and senior government officials will attend a flag-raising ceremony and reception on Sunday (July 1) to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

     The flag-raising ceremony will be held at Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) at 8am. About 2 400 people, including community leaders, members of community groups and uniformed groups will attend the ceremony.

     The Police Band will perform at the ceremony and a mixed choir from St Paul’s Co-educational College, Diocesan Boys’ School and Diocesan Girls’ School will sing the national anthem under the lead of two singers, Mr Alexander Chen and Ms Colette Lam, followed by a fly-past and a sea parade by the disciplined services.

     The public are welcome to watch the ceremony. A designated public viewing area will be set up with a capacity of about 1 000 people. An LED wall will be installed in the area to facilitate viewing of the ceremony. To ensure the smooth running of the flag-raising ceremony and to avoid disrupting other viewers, people are requested to observe the rules and instructions given by the authorities on-site.

     The celebration reception, led by the Chief Executive, will be held at the Grand Foyer on 3/F of the HKCEC after the flag-raising ceremony. About 1 600 guests, including members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, consular corps, government officials and members of various community sectors, will attend the reception.

     Motorists are reminded that Golden Bauhinia Square and the nearby area will be designated as a restricted zone by the Police. Only holders of valid passes will be allowed entry. read more