The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (December 9) announced that samples taken from a pig farm in Yuen Long had tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF) virus.

     An AFCD spokesman said, "AFCD staff yesterday (December 8) inspected a licensed pig farm at San Tin, Yuen Long, and took samples from 30 pigs for testing. Results showed that samples from 19 pigs tested positive for ASF virus. The AFCD has immediately suspended transportation of any pigs from the farm concerned until further notice according to the contingency plan on ASF. The AFCD is arranging culling of all pigs, totaling over 900, on the farm concerned for the sake of prudence. The culling operations will commence early next week."

     He further said, "AFCD staff immediately notified all local pig farmers of this incident and reminded them to alert the AFCD immediately if abnormal health condition is observed in pigs. In addition, AFCD staff has arranged to inspect the other eight pig farms within three kilometres of the index farm and will collect pig samples for ASF testing. For the sake of prudence, the AFCD has also temporarily suspended movements of pigs on these farms until further notice. No reports of abnormalities from pig farms outside the three-kilometre zone have been received so far. AFCD staff will visit all local licensed pig farms to ensure biosecurity measures have been properly implemented; and continued close surveillance to detect pigs with abnormalities and if a farm is infected as early as possible."

     The spokesman stressed that ASF is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans, hence does not cause any food safety risk. Pork cooked thoroughly is safe for consumption. Members of the public do not need to be concerned.

     The present case does not affect the operation of local slaughterhouses nor the overall supply of live pigs. Since June 2019, a daily clearance arrangement whereby live pigs will be slaughtered within 24 hours upon admittance has been imposed in Sheung Shui and Tsuen Wan slaughterhouses. Under the arrangement, lairages in different areas of the slaughterhouses will be cleared out and undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection every day to further enhance the bio-security of, and minimise the risk of infection among pigs, in the slaughterhouses.

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the AFCD will continue to stringently conduct cleaning and disinfection of Mainland live pig transportation vehicles and their counterparts for local pigs at slaughterhouses to minimise the risk of cross infection of ASF. Mainland live pig vehicles and local ones should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected every time they leave the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse (SSSH), and the respective designated positions for their cleaning and disinfection are separated. Manpower and equipment of the SSSH have been strengthened immediately for cleaning and disinfection of the vehicles. In light of these stepped up measures, the slaughterhouses need not be closed and other pigs need not be culled.

     As culling operations take time, the AFCD will release updated operation information every day since early next week on the departmental web page, www.afcd.gov.hk for the public.

     â€‹The Hong Kong Underwater Photo and Video Competition 2023 (HKUPVC 2023), jointly organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Hong Kong China Underwater Association, concluded successfully. Results of the competition were announced today (December 9) with an award presentation held at Ocean Park Hong Kong.
      
     The first Hong Kong Underwater Photo and Video Competition was held in 2012 and over 10 competitions were held so far. The HKUPVC 2023 was co-organised by the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong. This year the response was enthusiastic in that nearly 700 entries were received.
      
     "The entries fully showcased the beautiful marine habitats and the amazing species in Hong Kong waters, and helped raise public awareness of the importance of marine conservation," an AFCD spokesman said.
      
     The competition was composed of an Open Group and a Student Group. Contestants in the Open Group could participate in the Digital Photo Competition and the Digital Video Competition. There were two categories in the photo competition, namely the Macro & Close-up Category and the Standard & Wide Angle Category. For both categories under the Digital Photo Competition and the Digital Video Competition in the Open Group, there were champions, first runner-up and second runner-up. In addition, three special prizes for junior underwater photographers/videographers were presented by the judging panel to the less experienced underwater photographers/videographers. Outstanding awards were also given in the two categories of the Digital Photo Competition. For the Student Group Digital Photo Competition, three special prizes for student underwater photographers were given to encourage their appreciation and protection of Hong Kong's marine ecology and environment. This year, the Biodiversity Awards were presented as in the past alongside the newly introduced Nudibranchs Special Awards.
      
     All entries featured marine life or ecology in Hong Kong waters and were taken in Hong Kong waters within the designated period from October 1, 2021, to September 30 this year. The booklet of winning entries can be viewed on the AFCD's website: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/con_mar/con_mar_edu/photo_com_2023.html.
          
     A roving exhibition featuring the winning entries will be held. Members of the public are invited to visit the roving exhibition. The exhibition will also serve to promote the message of "Respect, Care for and Appreciate Marine Wildlife", which encourages the public to protect Hong Kong's marine life actively. Details of the exhibition can be found on the AFCD's website: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/con_mar/con_mar_edu/photo_com_2023.html. For enquiries, please call 1823 or visit the above AFCD website.

                                  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 9) investigating a case of severe paediatric COVID-19 and a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection, and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against respiratory tract infection in winter. The CHP stressed that vaccination can effectively prevent serious COVID-19 and influenza cases, high-risk individuals (including pregnant women) should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Persons who are symptomatic, even if having mild symptoms, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly with a view to lowering the risk of high-risk persons being infected. Strict personal, hand and environmental hygiene should also be observed at all times.

     The COVID-19 severe case involves an 8-month-old girl with good past health. She developed fever, poor appetite, cough and runny nose on December 5, and tested positive for COVID-19 by rapid antigen test (RAT). She developed difficulty in breath and was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of Kwong Wah Hospital on December 7. She was admitted on the same day and was later arranged to be admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital due to worsening symptoms. Her nasopharyngeal swab was positive for COVID-19 virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was bronchiolitis. She is now in serious condition and is still being hospitalised.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period and had not received COVID-19 vaccine. The mother of the baby girl has received the initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine prior to the pregnancy.

     The CHP said that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. Members of the public are advised to take note of the latest recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong, while high-risk priority groups (including pregnant women) are recommended to receive a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months since the last dose or infection, regardless of the number of doses received previously. High risk people who have never been vaccinated or infected with COVID-19 before should adopt additional hygiene measures to protect themselves. Some studies have shown that antibodies generated after vaccination in pregnant women can be passed to the foetus through the umbilical cord. Pregnant women should receive COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy at appropriate times for protection of themselves and the foetus. As the antibodies of infants obtained from mother will decrease over time, the CHP also reminded parents to arrange COVID-19 vaccination for their babies aged six months or above in order to reduce the risk of severe cases and fatalities. For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and the latest recommendation on the use of vaccines, please visit the CHP's website at www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/106934.html.

     The influenza A infection severe case involves a 7-year-old boy with good past health. He developed fever, chills, malaise, myalgia, runny nose, sore throat and cough with sputum on December 2. He sought medical attention at a private doctor on December 4 and yesterday (December 8) respectively and was referred to the AED of Tuen Mun Hospital due to shortness of breath and was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit for treatment yesterday. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen was positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated pneumonia. He is now in serious condition and is still being hospitalised.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had not received seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) for this season and had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contacts are currently asymptomatic. 

     Moreover, influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. SIV is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive SIV early. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. The 2023/24 seasonal influenza vaccination programmes have started. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that although the current surveillance data revealed no uprising trend of local seasonal influenza and COVID-19 overall activity at the moment, influenza viruses and the SARS-CoV-2 virus may become more active in winter and spread at the same time. A person who gets COVID-19 and influenza at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. Getting COVID-19 and influenza vaccination is of vital importance. Members of the public who have not completed COVID-19 vaccination and SIV, particularly children, the elderly and chronic disease patients, should receive vaccination as early as possible for personal protection. Details of receiving both COVID-19 vaccination and SIV are available at website: www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/106096.html.

     In order to prevent infection of COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory illnesses as well as the transmission in the community, the public should maintain strict personal and environmental at all times and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     â€‹â€‹The public may visit the thematic website of COVID-19, the CHP's influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information.

     In response to media enquiries about the licence of a day procedure centre (DPC) in Causeway Bay being cancelled, a spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) gave the following response today (December 9):

     Regarding the cancellation of the licence of a DPC in Causeway Bay by the DH in accordance with the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633), the statutory period of notification had lapsed. The Office for Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities (ORPHF) of the DH had published the information on its website today (www.directory.orphf.gov.hk/Directory/en/Common/RecordsOfRegulatoryActions), with the date of licence cancellation being December 9, 2023.

     During the DH's routine inspection at the concerned DPC, the DPC was found to have contravened the Code of Practice for Day Procedure Centres under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance, including possession and suspected use of an unlicensed X-ray machine, suspected handling of injectable pharmaceutical products that are suspected to be unregistered, failing to maintain complete, comprehensive, and accurate medical records of patients, as well as failing to provide relevant information of personnel performing patient consultation and drug prescription.

     The DH discovered that the DPC possesses and is suspected to have used an unlicensed X-ray machine. The X-ray machine is mainly used for X-ray fluoroscopic examination on the limbs. During normal use, the radiation emitted by the X-ray machine would not cause a significant impact on human health. The X-ray machine has been marked and sealed.

     Besides, the DPC is suspected to have handled injectable vitamin preparations that are suspected to be unregistered. In general, injectable vitamin preparations could be used to treat relevant vitamin-deficiency diseases. The DH has requested the DPC to contact the patients who have used the suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products. The DH has not received any reports of adverse events related to this DPC so far.

     With regard to the suspected illegal medical practice and professional misconduct, the DH has referred to the Police and the Medical Council of Hong Kong for follow-up respectively.

     Under the Radiation Ordinance (Cap. 303), possession or use of unlicenced X-ray machine constitutes an offence, the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and two-year imprisonment.

     According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A), illegal supply of unregistered pharmaceutical products is an offence, the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and two-year imprisonment.

     The DH is continuing its follow-up on the suspected use of an unlicensed X-ray machine and handling of unregistered pharmaceutical products that are suspected to be unregistered by the DPC, as well as obstructing or delaying authorised officers of the DH in performing their functions. The DH will seek advice from the Department of Justice for prosecution matters upon completion of the investigation. Referral would be made to relevant enforcement agencies or authorities as appropriate.

     The DH reminded members of the public who have received treatment/injection at the abovementioned DPC to seek medical attention if feeling unwell. Also, injection procedures should only be performed by a locally registered doctor. Customers should look for his or her full name against the list of registered doctors of the Medical Council of Hong Kong as well as his or her professional qualifications and relevant experience.

     Three charities have been issued Public Subscription Permits to hold flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm today (December 9). They are, on Hong Kong Island, Life Education Activity Programme; in Kowloon, The Hong Kong Buddhist Association; and in the New Territories, Sai Kung District Community Centre, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.
      
     Arrangements have been made with the charities to help people to distinguish among the three flag-selling activities.    
      
     Information on the three flag-selling organisations on December 9 is as follows:
 

 
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.
      
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.