In view of the recent increase in measles cases in some overseas countries, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 27) reminded the public to ensure that they have completed two doses of measles vaccination before travelling abroad to reduce the risk of infection.

     The CHP is concerned about the recent measles outbreaks in Texas of the United States (US). At least 124 cases of measles have been reported since the end of January this year, mostly in people who had not received measles vaccination or whose vaccination history was unknown. Over 80 per cent of the cases involved children under 18 years old, including one fatal case in a school-aged child who had not been vaccinated against measles. The CHP has taken the initiative to contact the US health authorities to learn more about the situation.

     Apart from the US, measles outbreaks have occurred in neighboring countries, including Vietnam and the Philippines, due to suboptimal overall measles vaccination coverage.

     The Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, stressed that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles.

     "The measles situation outside Hong Kong reflects the importance of vaccination in preventing measles. Under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, the overall immunisation coverage in Hong Kong has been maintained at a very high level through the immunisation services provided by the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres and the School Immunisation Teams. As evidenced by the findings on vaccination coverage of primary school students and the territory-wide immunisation surveys conducted regularly by the DH, the two-dose measles vaccination coverage has remained consistently high, well above 95 per cent, and the local seroprevalence rates of measles virus antibodies reflect that most of the people in Hong Kong are immune to measles. On the whole, the risk of a large-scale outbreak in Hong Kong is low. Also, no measles cases have been reported so far this year."

     "However, as a city with a high volume of international travel, Hong Kong still faces the potential risk of importation of measles virus and its further spread in the local community. Hence, a small number of people who have not completed measles vaccination (such as non-local born people including new immigrants, foreign domestic helpers, overseas employees and people coming to Hong Kong for further studies) are still at risk of being infected and spreading measles to other people who do not have immunity against measles, such as children under one year old who have not yet received the first dose of measles vaccine," he said.

     Dr Tsui added that people born before 1967 could be considered to have acquired immunity to measles through natural infection, as measles was endemic in many parts of the world and in Hong Kong at that time. He urged people born in or after 1967 who have not yet completed the two doses of measles vaccination or whose measles vaccination history is unknown, to consult their family doctors as soon as possible to complete the vaccination and ensure adequate protection against measles. For those who plan to travel to measles-endemic areas, they should check their vaccination records and medical history as early as possible. If they have not been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and have never received two doses of measles vaccine or are not sure if they have received measles vaccine, they should consult a doctor at least two weeks prior to their trip for vaccination.

     "The incubation period of measles (i.e. the time from infection to onset of illness) is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. When such symptoms appear, people should wear surgical masks, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and contact with unvaccinated people, especially those with weak immune system, pregnant women and children under one year old. Those who suspected they are infected should consult their doctors as soon as possible and inform healthcare workers of their history of exposure to measles," he said.

     For more information on measles, members of the public may visit the CHP's thematic webpage. For those who are planning to travel, they may also refer to the DH's Travel Health Service's webpage for information on measles outbreaks in places outside Hong Kong.

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Yuen Long this morning (February 27) in which a man died.

     At 7.24am, a private car driven by a 49-year-old man was travelling along Yuen Long Highway towards Sheung Shui. When approaching Shap Pat Heung Interchange, the private car driver slowed down and stopped his vehicle due to traffic condition. Three private cars, two light goods vehicles (LGV) and a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) travelling behind reportedly failed to brake, resulting in a chain collision. The LGV driven by a 49-year-old man rammed into the rear of the HGV.

     The LGV driver was trapped inside the compartment and later rescued by firemen. Sustaining serious multiple injuries, the man was rushed to Pok Oi Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 8.34am.

     Three other drivers and four passengers, four men and three women aged between 14 and 60, were injured in the accident. They were sent to Pok Oi Hospital for medical treatment in conscious state.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team 1 of Traffic, New Territories North is under way.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3800.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, held engagement sessions on February 25 and 27 to exchange views with about 100 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and about 30 HKSAR deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), respectively, before they attend the third session of the 14th NPC and the third session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee to be held in Beijing in early March. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip, also attended the engagement sessions separately.
      
     Mr Lee said that the HKSAR deputies to the NPC and HKSAR members of the National Committee of the CPPCC, as important members of the country's institutions and leaders from various sectors, care for and are familiar with matters concerning the country and Hong Kong. He noted that he proposed the establishment of a regular exchange mechanism in the 2023 Policy Address, overseen by the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, to enhance the HKSAR Government's communication with the HKSAR deputies to the NPC and HKSAR members of the National Committee of the CPPCC. During the meeting, the deputies and members actively provided their insights and ideas by proposing viewpoints and suggestions that aligned with the national development and the actual situation in Hong Kong.

     Mr Lee said that with devotion to the country and home, the HKSAR deputies to the NPC and HKSAR members of the National Committee of the CPPCC provide various suggestions on the long-term development of the country and Hong Kong. He expressed his gratitude to the deputies and members for their efforts in playing a bridging role, fostering Hong Kong's further integration into national development and making greater contributions to the high-quality development of the country and Hong Kong.
      

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, held engagement sessions on February 25 and 27 to exchange views with about 100 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and about 30 HKSAR deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), respectively, before they attend the third session of the 14th NPC and the third session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee to be held in Beijing in early March. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip, also attended the engagement sessions separately.
      
     Mr Lee said that the HKSAR deputies to the NPC and HKSAR members of the National Committee of the CPPCC, as important members of the country's institutions and leaders from various sectors, care for and are familiar with matters concerning the country and Hong Kong. He noted that he proposed the establishment of a regular exchange mechanism in the 2023 Policy Address, overseen by the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, to enhance the HKSAR Government's communication with the HKSAR deputies to the NPC and HKSAR members of the National Committee of the CPPCC. During the meeting, the deputies and members actively provided their insights and ideas by proposing viewpoints and suggestions that aligned with the national development and the actual situation in Hong Kong.

     Mr Lee said that with devotion to the country and home, the HKSAR deputies to the NPC and HKSAR members of the National Committee of the CPPCC provide various suggestions on the long-term development of the country and Hong Kong. He expressed his gratitude to the deputies and members for their efforts in playing a bridging role, fostering Hong Kong's further integration into national development and making greater contributions to the high-quality development of the country and Hong Kong.
      

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 26) took enforcement action to crack down on shortweight activities involving a scrap trader in Tseung Kwan O. 

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a scrap trader in Tseung Kwan O was suspected of using an inaccurate electronic platform scale to weigh scrap metal. Subsequently, officers yesterday posed as vendors and sold scrap copper to the concerned trader. During the operation, it was found that the scrap trader had used an inaccurate platform scale, making the weight of the weighed scrap copper displayed on the scale to be 24 per cent less than the actual weight, thereby paying a lower recycling price, i.e. paying $310 less. The trader was suspected of contravening the Weights and Measures Ordinance (WMO).

     An investigation is ongoing.

     In response to shortweight activities conducted by scrap traders using inaccurate electronic platform scales, Customs has stepped up spot checks and will continue to take stringent enforcement actions to protect the interests of citizens and uphold a fair trading environment.

     Under the WMO, any person who possesses, manufactures, supplies or uses for trade any weighing or measuring equipment which is false or defective commits an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $25,000. The false or defective weighing or measuring equipment is liable to forfeiture.

     In addition, if any fraud is committed in the use for trade of any weighing or measuring equipment, the person perpetrating the fraud commits an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     Customs reminds traders that they should use accurate weighing equipment and comply with the requirements of the WMO when recycling scrap.

     Customs appeals to the public to report any case of suspected fraud using defective weighing or measuring equipment to the department's 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).