    A woman who went missing in Sham Shui Po has been located.     Chan Ching-man, aged 34, went missing after she left her residence on Yee Kuk Street on January 13 morning. Her family made a report to Police on the same day.     The … read more
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, at a media session after visiting an educational activity of municipal solid waste charging at Yaumati Kaifong Association School … read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (January 16) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccination.
The case involves a 31-year-old male patient with good past health. He had developed vesicles, fever and lymphadenopathy since December 31 last year, and visited the Yau Ma Tei Male Social Hygiene Clinic of the DH on January 12. He is in stable condition and arrangements have been made for him to be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital.
An initial investigation revealed that the patient had visited Taiwan during the incubation period. According to the patient, he only had high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period. No epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case and will report the case to the World Health Organization.
A total of 55 confirmed Mpox cases have been recorded in Hong Kong so far. The CHP appeals again to high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccination with a view to lowering the risk of infection or the possibility of having more severe symptoms after infection. Persons who experience Mpox symptoms (including rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches) or suspect themselves of being infected are advised to seek medical attention and receive treatment at once, and they should not engage in activities with others during which other people may have contact with their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact. They should also avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection.
The CHP had earlier set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373). The hotline operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5pm, which enables those who suspect or are concerned they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, in particular men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice.
The DH provides vaccination service for high-risk groups of MPox. The following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination on a voluntary basis:
​Hong Kong Customs today (January 16) mounted an anti-smuggling operation in Yuen Long and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a speedboat. A batch of suspected smuggled goods, with an estimated market value of about $3 million, was seized.
Early this morning, Customs conducted an anti-smuggling operation in Tai Sang Wai, Yuen Long, and spotted a light goods vehicle heading towards a waterfront. Later, the vehicle’s driver and several suspicious persons gathered at the waterfront were seen moving a batch of carton boxes from the vehicle onto a speedboat. Suspecting them of engaging in smuggling activities, Customs officers then took action and arrested the male driver of the light goods vehicle, whereas the other people immediately jumped onto the speedboat and fled to the Mainland waters.
A batch of suspected smuggled goods, including mobile phones, mobile phone parts, computer tablets, and computer RAM units, was seized on the ground nearby and inside the light goods vehicle.
An investigation is ongoing and the arrested 63-year-old man is now being detained for further investigation.
Being a government department specifically responsible for tackling smuggling, Customs has all along been combating various smuggling activities proactively at the forefront. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to fiercely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, along with mounting targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to land a solid blow against relevant activities.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 15) seized about 800 kilograms of suspected scheduled shark fins, with an estimated market value of about $4 million, at Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers yesterday inspected an air consignment, declared as dry fish, arriving in Hong Kong from Dubai at an air cargo terminal in the airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers found a total of about 800kg of suspected scheduled shark fins inside 25 carton boxes among the goods.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers today (January 16) arrested a 56-year-old female director of the consignee company suspected to be connected with the case.
An investigation is ongoing and the arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
