Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 3) investigating one suspected food poisoning cluster affecting 11 persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

     The cluster involved eight boys and two girls, aged 3 to 5, and a female teacher, who developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea about 5.5 to 15 hours after having lunch at a kindergarten in Eastern District on November 1. One of the affected persons sought medical advice and none required hospitalisation. 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 was steamed rice with pumpkin and diced pork. The poisoning might have been caused by Bacillus cereus or Clostridium perfringens.

     The personnel from the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have conducted investigation at the concerned 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. 

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 3) reported an update on the investigations of the suspected Mycobacterium abscessus infection cluster. Currently, the suspected Mycobacterium abscessus infection cluster involved a total of 15 females. According to the latest investigation findings, people who have patronised the following premises, or contacted the following Instagram social media accounts and received relevant injections and suspect they have experienced relevant symptoms, are urged to seek medical attention and contact the CHP as soon as possible.
 

	Name of premises	Address of premises
1	GALS GLAM BEAUTY (Business registration name being “GALS GLAM CLINIC”)	6/F, Hop Hing Industrial Building, 702-704 Castle Peak Road, Lai Chi Kok
2	GALS GLAM (Business registration name being “GALS GLAM CLINIC”)	4/F, Wing Hong Centre, 18 Wing Hong Street, Lai Chi Kok
3	CHING’S BEAUTY (Business registration name being “CHING’S BEAUTY LIMITED”)	10/F, Block A, Alexandra Industrial Building, 23-27 Wing Hong Street, Lai Chi Kok

 

	Instagram social media accounts
1	“90s__beautygirls”
2	“galsglam.beauty”
3	“beauty_hklady”

     Apart from the five people involved in the suspected Mycobacterium abscessus infection cluster announced yesterday (November 2), the CHP has conducted contact tracing and contacted seven females, aged 23 to 37 who have patronised at Gals Glam Beauty/Gals Glam and received relevant injections services claimed to have slimming effect in the two premises in Lai Chi Kok (6/F, Hop Hing Industrial Building, 702-704 Castle Peak Road or 4/F, Wing Hong Centre, 18 Wing Hong Street). They developed rash, induration or abscess after injection. All patients are in stable condition.

     The CHP has set up an enquiry hotline (2125 2372) for the related cases, which operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5.30pm. The hotline will also operate from 9am to 1pm tomorrow (November 4) and on November 5 to receive enquiries. As of 3pm today, seven calls were received. Three females, aged 25 to 32, said that they have received relevant injection services and developed compatible symptoms.

     The CHP again appeals to persons who presented with symptoms such as skin redness, rash, purulent or induration after receiving injections at the above three premises, should seek medical attention and call the hotline immediately. Officers of the CHP will assess their condition and arrange for follow-up as appropriate.

     Investigations are ongoing.

     The DH reminded members of the public that 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. read more

     The Department of Health (DH) today (November 3) endorsed a licensed Chinese herbal medicines wholesaler, Kam Hing Hong Limited (Kam Hing Hong), to voluntarily recall from the market one batch of herbal medicine labelled as “Rhizoma Bletillae” (batch number: 17082023), as it is not Rhizoma Bletillae after identification. 

     Acting upon intelligence, the DH conducted an investigation at Kam Hing Hong and seized the above-mentioned herbal medicine. After comparing with the morphological features of Rhizoma Bletillae as stipulated in the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (2020 Edition), the herbal medicine was identified not being Rhizoma Bletillae.

     Preliminary investigation revealed that Kam Hing Hong imported the above-mentioned herbal medicine from the Mainland for local sale. Kam Hing Hong will recall the concerned batch of herbal medicine from the market. A hotline (2548 3973) has been set up by Kam Hing Hong for related enquiries. The DH will continue the investigation and closely monitoring the recall.

     According to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549), Rhizoma Bletillae is a Schedule 2 Chinese herbal medicine. Rhizoma Bletillae, the tuber of Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb. f., is used to act as an astringent, stop bleeding, disperse swelling and promote tissue regeneration.
 
     According to section 52 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), those who sell any drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $10,000 and three months’ imprisonment. Upon completion of the investigation, the DH will work with the Department of Justice on prosecution matters. The DH will also refer this case to the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong for possible disciplinary action. Furthermore, the DH will consider referring the case to the relevant law enforcement agency to follow up.
 
     Chinese medicine practitioners, Chinese medicine personnel or members of public who have the affected Chinese herbal medicine in hand should refrain from selling or using them and submit the affected Chinese herbal medicine to the DH’s Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office at 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal, or return them to the supplier. 

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     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair 2023 today (November 3):
 
Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC), Dr Peter Lam), Margaret (Executive Director of the TDC, Ms Margaret Fong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening. I am delighted to be here today with you – a world of wine buyers, exhibitors and connoisseurs, plus plenty of red, white, rosé and orange enthusiasts like yours truly. We’re here, all of us, keen to cork, pour, sniff, sip and celebrate the opening of this year’s Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, where business meets pleasure.
 
     Alongside the usual numbers, I’ve been counting glasses – wine glasses. First, at the opening week of the Wine and Dine Festival; and now, today, for the 15th edition of the TDC’s International Wine & Spirits Fair.
 
     This year’s global gathering has attracted more than 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions. They’re buying, selling and trading old-world and new-world wine, as well as wine and spirits from the Mainland and Japan, and whisky and beer from everywhere.
 
     Together, they offer clear – and sometimes sparkling – testimony to Hong Kong’s standing as Asia’s wine-trading and distribution hub.
 
     Vineyards aside, Hong Kong has what it takes, including zero wine duties, an extensive logistics and distribution network, rich wine-trading experience, and, of course, people with a passion for fine wine and fabulous fare. Indeed, all sorts of wine and food, too.
 
     Our close proximity and connections to the Mainland’s vast, and growing, consumer market is another magnum-size advantage. Last year, the Mainland and Macao accounted for more than two-thirds of our wine exports. In value terms, Hong Kong wine exports soared more than 45 per cent last year.
 
     On Sunday, this fair opens to the public. A welcome opportunity for wine lovers and newbies, too, to discover and delight in a bright abundance of wine – from around the world.
 
     My sincere thanks to the HKTDC for organising this year’s Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair.
 
     I wish you all rewarding three days at the fair, a memorable long weekend in Hong Kong and the best of business, and pleasure, in the coming year. Thank you.

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     The presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2023 (the Awards) was held this evening (November 3) with KRIP Limited being presented the Award of the Year from the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong. KRIP Limited is also the winner of the FinTech Grand Award, surpassing seven other category winners with its winning entry, the krip HK.
 
     Mr Wong praised the winners for their groundbreaking innovations and initiatives which show the capability and enthusiasm of pushing the boundaries of excellence beyond limits, adding that the cutting-edge solutions and applications they have produced help create a positive impact on society and showcase Hong Kong as a global information and communications technology (ICT) hub. He noted that the Government is also making continuous efforts to adopt cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain and Web3 among others, to propel the development of Hong Kong into a smart city as well as expedite the development of the digital economy.

     The Hong Kong ICT Awards aims to recognise and promote outstanding local ICT inventions and applications. It has been widely recognised as an annual flagship event of the local industry since its debut in 2006. In addition to encouraging and recognising local innovations, the Awards also helps the winners and their products enter the Mainland and overseas markets.

     Led by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and with the concerted efforts of all Leading Organisers, the Steering Committee and Standards Assurance Sub-committee, the Grand Judging Panel, judges, assessors and supporting organisations, the annual Hong Kong ICT Awards concluded successfully. The Chairman of the Grand Judging Panel, the President of City University of Hong Kong, Professor Freddy Boey, congratulated the awardees for their exceptional initiatives which were geared towards improving people’s lives.

     “The awardees’ innovative solutions and groundbreaking initiatives have set a benchmark of excellence that inspires and motivates the ICT community,” Professor Boey said, adding that he was especially excited about the Student Innovation Grand Award as Hong Kong is blessed with an incredibly talented student body, and it behoved everyone to help guide young people towards their dreams.

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, presented trophies to the eight winners of Grand Awards to commend their outstanding performance. The awardees are:
 

Award category (Leading Organiser)	Grand Award winner (winning entry)
Digital Entertainment Grand Award (Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association)	Quantum Matrix Limited/Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association Limited (JUXTAPOSED 2022 FASHION META)
FinTech Grand Award (The Hong Kong Institute of Bankers)	KRIP Limited (krip HK)
ICT Startup Grand Award (Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association)	LaSense Technology Limited (Laser Absorption Spectroscopy for Early Lung Cancer Screening)
Smart Business Grand Award (Hong Kong Computer Society)	Optix Solutions Limited/MTR Corporation Limited (Revolutionizing Quality Control and Assurance in the Construction Industry Using AI)
Smart Living Grand Award (Hong Kong Information Technology Federation)	Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (Making the invisible become touchable: 3D Printing of realistic anatomical model with tactile reality)
Smart Mobility Grand Award (GS1 Hong Kong)	TriTerra Technology Limited (Kaihon1000 Smart Power Station)
Smart People Grand Award (The Hong Kong Council of Social Service)	Cognitact Limited (Protein Biomarkers for Assessing Alzheimer’s Disease)
Student Innovation Grand Award (Hong Kong New Emerging Technology Education Association)	The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Zeng Jingqiang) (Meditech)

     Detailed information of the winners and the event are available on the website of the Hong Kong ICT Awards (www.hkictawards.hk). read more