Tag Archives: China

     Following painstaking work by Leisure and Cultural Services Department conservationists, Diesel Electric Engine No. 60, or “Peter Quick”, has been restored and transferred to its new home at the Railway Museum.
      
     News.gov.hk spoke with the conservation team to learn more about their meticulous efforts and the challenges they faced in restoring and transporting the engine. Meanwhile the museum outlined how its new exhibit can enhance visitors’ understanding of Hong Kong’s railway history.
      
     The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature today (December 31) in text and video format. read more

     In view of the local multiple outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) recently, an interdepartmental meeting convened by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, was held today (December 30) with the Agricul… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 30) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting nine persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

     The first cluster involved four females, aged between 25 and 38, who developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea about 9 to 12 hours after consuming food provided by a caterer on December 21.

     The other cluster involved two males and three females, aged between two and 71, who developed similar symptoms about 9 to 18 hours after consuming the food ordered from the same caterer on December 25.

     All of the affected persons have not sought medical advice. All affected persons are in stable condition.

     Initial investigations of the CHP revealed that the affected persons had consumed common food and the food concerned were diced beef and beef ribs in red wine sauce. The incident might have been caused by Clostridium perfringens.

     The personnel from the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have conducted an inspection at the caterer’s premises. The CHP’s investigation is ongoing.

     To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:

• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Pre-cooked or leftover foods should be stored and reheated properly before consumption;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

     â€‹The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (December 30) announced that samples taken from a pig farm in Yuen Long had tested positive for the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus.   &nb… read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded higher than normal air pollution levels today (December 30). According to the EPD’s forecast, it is expected that the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at some air quality monitoring stations may reach the “Very High” or “Serious” level later today. 

     Under the influence of a dry continental airstream, the weather in Hong Kong today is mainly fine. Light wind is unfavorable for pollutant dispersion. The intensesunshine enhances photochemical smog activity leading to rapid formation of ozone and fine particulates in the Pearl River Delta region. 

     â€‹According to the Hong Kong Observatory, a surge of northeast monsoon is expected to reach in the coming few days and then will be windy. The EPD expects air quality in Hong Kong will improve by then. 
 
     â€‹With a health risk category in the “Very High” range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public is advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from healthcare professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice. 

     â€‹The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB website for appropriate measures to safeguard students’ health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows: www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html. 

     â€‹When the AQHI is at the “Very High” level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees, such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the “Serious” level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees. 

     â€‹Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD’s website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541.  read more