The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 11) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza. The 2023/24 seasonal influenza vaccination programmes have started and the CHP appealed to members of the public to receive free seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) to better protect themselves in the coming influenza season.

     The case involves a 15-year-old boy with good past health. He developed fever, cough and runny nose on November 8. Due to worsening symptoms, he was brought to Yan Chai Hospital yesterday (November 10) and was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment on the same day. His respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with pneumonia. His condition improved after treatment and he is now in stable condition.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had not received seasonal influenza vaccination for this season and visited France during the incubation period. His home contacts are currently asymptomatic. The CHP's investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, "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. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website."

     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses 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.
     
     The public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information.

     â€‹The Launching Ceremony of the Aviation Safety Knowledge Badge Scheme under the Youth in Aviation Programme, jointly organised by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) and the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol (HKRSP), was held at the CAD Headquarters today (November 11). The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu; the Commissioner for Youth of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, Mr Eric Chan; the Commissioner of the HKRSP, Mr Cheung Ka-Ho; and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Road Safety Association, Mr Chong Chong-yip, attended the ceremony as officiating guests.
 
     â€‹The Scheme is significant in that it is under the Youth in Aviation Programme and aligns with the Government's Youth Development Blueprint. The Scheme not only allows student members of the HKRSP to gain knowledge of aviation safety, but also serves to inspire them in joining the aviation industry, thus making contribution in the long term to the development of Hong Kong as an international aviation hub as set out in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.
 
     â€‹The Scheme under the Youth in Aviation Programme comprises a lot of activities for its members. Participating members and youth leaders will be awarded an Aviation Safety Knowledge Badge together with a certificate after completion of the corresponding activities. The entire Scheme consists of five badges covering a number of aviation disciplines, including basic knowledge of air traffic control and aviation safety, Hong Kong's aviation history and its latest development, understanding the operational safety and development of Hong Kong International Airport, as well as passenger safety of civil aircraft, career development in the aviation industry, etc. Participants of the Scheme will have the opportunity to visit organisations such as the Hong Kong Airport Authority, the Aviation Security Company Limited and the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy, and to attend relevant career talks. Upon successful completion of trainings, members may also apply what they have learnt by becoming qualified CAD Aviation Education Path docents and promote aviation knowledge to the public.
 
     â€‹Mr Liu said he was pleased to see the official launching of the Youth in Aviation Programme. He said, "Young people are Hong Kong's future. The Programme would enhance the youth's understanding of the aviation industry and cultivate their aspiration in joining the field. This would undoubtedly help promote Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub and address the manpower needs of the development of the aviation industry."
 
     â€‹Mr Cheung said, "The Scheme under the Youth in Aviation Programme breaks through the previous framework in promoting road safety and extends the scope of traffic safety to the domain of aviation safety. With the invaluable opportunity for the HKRSP members to visit the airport's restricted area and to understand airside operations, they may also have the opportunity to experience a flight simulator during the visit. I hope the Scheme could enhance HKRSP members' interests in aviation safety and motivate them to join the aviation sector in the future."
 
     â€‹The Scheme kicked off the CAD's Youth in Aviation Programme series. The CAD will continue to co-operate with different youth organisations and uniformed groups to provide diversified programmes and activities for young people in the future, in a bid to enhance their understanding of and interests in aviation as well as nurturing talent for the aviation industry with the CAD's utmost effort.

    

     â€‹Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (November 11):
 
Reporter: Some coverages have urged the Government to announce the exact places where the talent comes from. Would the authorities consider this? Also, as you mentioned that most of them are from the Mainland, do you think this would create any concerns in the community? 
 
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Set aside for the moment their residency, if you look at where all applicants under the TTPS were upon applying before coming to Hong Kong, around 20 per cent of them were staying overseas when they submitted their applications. In particular if we look at Category C applicants under the TTPS, those who are either fresh graduates or with less than three years of work experience, around 40 per cent were staying overseas when they made their applications. This is by self a clear indication of the attraction of the TTPS to those with overseas education experience and qualifications. 

     When these people come into Hong Kong, what we need to do first of all, of course, is to provide facilitation so they can stay here. This includes looking for accommodation, and if they have children, taking care of their education needs. The most important thing is to help them find a job. On that respect, we have recently collaborated with the insurance sector in holding an online job matching forum which proved to be a success. The response was overwhelming. Through that event, we have successfully found jobs for quite a number of people coming to Hong Kong under the TTPS.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     A spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department said this morning (November 11) that the operation of the new intelligent sports and recreation services booking and information system, SmartPLAY, remained generally smooth this morning.

     As of 9.30am, over 6 000 bookings and payments had been completed, and the process was generally smooth. The department will continue to closely monitor the operation of the system and will further adjust the system settings as appropriate to ensure that users can book leisure venues more smoothly.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 11) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.