The Civil Aid Service (CAS) held the Mountaineering Safety Promotion Day 2023 with various government departments and mountaineering organisations today (October 22) at MacPherson Playground in Mong Kok to enhance public awareness of hiking safety with a view to reducing accidents arising from mountaineering activities.
 
     The event was opened with a speech by the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung. Other officiating guests included the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee; the Commissioner of the CAS, Mr Lo Yan-lai; the Chief Staff Officer of the CAS, Mr Leung Kwun-hong, as well as representatives from the Security Bureau; the Government Flying Service; the Auxiliary Medical Service; the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; the Office of the Communications Authority; the Hong Kong Observatory; the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and various mountaineering organisations.
 
     At the ceremony, Mr Yeung also presented certificates to those who had successfully completed the Mountain Casualty Handling Course. 
 
     Apart from game booths to promote mountaineering safety, a wide range of mountaineering equipment, such as digital maps, watches used for recording rescuer locations, high-resolution live broadcasting cameras and the Unmanned Aircraft System, was showcased. In addition, there were technique demonstrations of mountain search and rescue and handling of injured persons by the CAS members to enhance public understanding of mountain rescue work.
 
     Other highlights included a rescue demonstration by the Fire Services Department rescue dogs and a performance by police dogs. A recruitment exercise of the CAS adult members was also conducted at the event.
 

                

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 22) 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 female patient with good past health. She developed fever and sore throat on October 21. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital and was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit for treatment on the same day. Her nasopharyngeal swab was positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon
laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was paediatric influenza infection complicated with shock. Her condition improved after treatment and she is now in stable condition.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Her 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 six 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.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 21) mounted an anti-smuggling operation at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a cross-boundary private car. About 194 kilograms of unmanifested live lobsters with an estimated market value of about $240,000 were seized.

     Customs yesterday intercepted an outbound seven-seater private car which was claimed to have nothing to declare at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port. Upon inspection, a total of 10 boxes of unmanifested live lobsters, weighing about 194kg, were seized in the mid row passenger seats and boot of the car. A 46-year-old male driver was subsequently arrested.

     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.

     Customs will continue to combat smuggling activities by use of cross-boundary private cars with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

     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/).

  

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, continued his visit in Thailand today (October 22). In the morning, he visited the “Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival” exhibition in Bangkok. The exhibition is organised by the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), introducing Hong Kong’s ICH items through exhibits, photos, short videos and interactive games. Mr Yeung then visited the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre to learn more about art and cultural development in Thailand and appreciate the artworks created by artists of different styles. He also visited the "Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition organised by the Information Services Department in Bangkok.
      
     In the afternoon, Mr Yeung attended the opening ceremony of the “Next Generation: Emerging Directors Exhibition & Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” organised by Create Hong Kong and funded by the Hong Kong Film Development Fund (FDF). Seven Hong Kong films, including those by budding directors, such as “A Guilty Conscience” and “A Light Never Goes Out”, were screened and the promotional materials and film sets of the films supported by the FDF were showcased in the exhibition. Mr Yeung also visited the “JUXTAPOSED 2023 Hong Kong Fashion in Bangkok” opening ceremony organised by the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association and sponsored by Create Hong Kong and attended the opening fashion presentation.
      
     Mr Yeung attended the Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok opening ceremony and opening programme organised by the LCSD yesterday (October 21). Held in Bangkok, Thailand from October 21 to November 12, the Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok is an overseas cultural exchange extravaganza organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, with the support from the Ministry of Culture, Kingdom of Thailand.
      
     Mr Yeung also visited the Thai Film Archive, which presents “Movies to GO – Border Crossings in Hong Kong Cinema – Thailand” in collaboration with the Hong Kong Film Archive at the Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok. Co-productions of the two places and three Hong Kong film classics in the 1980s and 1990s that had inspired some Thai film directors, namely “Police Story”, “An Autumn's Tale” and “Once a Thief” are screened.
      
     Mr Yeung will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (October 23) morning.

            

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (October 22) that Mui Wo Swimming Pool in Islands District, closed earlier due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, has been reopened.