The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 19) continued its investigation into a case of dengue fever (DF) announced yesterday (June 18). The CHP urged again the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     According to the latest findings of epidemiological investigations, no linked case has been identified by the CHP so far. Meanwhile, blood sample of the patient's household contact tested negative for dengue virus upon laboratory testing. As at 6pm today, the CHP has contacted over 2 600 residents from over 1 000 households of Tin Shui (1) Estate in Tin Shui Wai where the patient resided. No suspected case is identified.

     The CHP's further investigations revealed that the patient works in a company at Super Terminal 1 of Hong Kong International Airport. Due to operational needs, she occasionally visits to the Cathay Cargo Terminal and Airport Freight Forwarding Centre. Her colleagues are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance. Officers from the CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) inspected the relevant locations today. The management of the premises is advised to strengthen their anti-mosquito measures. The CHP and the Hong Kong Airport Authority have provided the relevant information to the airport staffs and will arrange health talk for the staffs working in the relevant premises.

     In addition, the patient recalled history of mosquito bites on a bus when travelling to and from workplace during the incubation period. Officers from the CHP inspected cleansing service contractor's mosquito prevention and control work on buses of that bus route concerned. The Transport Department has also requested the bus operator to strengthen mosquito control measures at appropriate times.

     The CHP held a health talk jointly with the FEHD this evening in the Tin Shui Community Centre, during which the CHP also conducted free DF antibody tests for people in the district with relevant symptoms.

     Meanwhile, the CHP appeals to persons who have been to Tin Shui (1) Estate with DF symptoms to call the CHP's hotline (2125 2374) which is operating from 9am to 5pm from today, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. Dengue fever is clinically characterised by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes and rash.

The CHP's investigations are ongoing.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing and uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF pages of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

      

     With the approach of the summer holidays, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 19) appealed to members of the public who intend to travel to stay alert to the situation of infectious diseases in their destinations. The CHP specifically reminded members of the public to adopt necessary precautions to guard against the recently increasing group A streptococcal (GAS) infection, including streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), and mosquito-borne diseases when travelling abroad.

GAS infection

     In Japan, an increase in STSS cases has been observed since 2023. According to information of the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as of June 2, 977 cases have been reported in 2024, exceeding the previous record high of 941 in 2023 and the range of 622 to 894 during 2019 to 2022. Moreover, an increase in invasive group A streptococcal infections (iGAS disease) and scarlet fever has also been observed in at least five countries in Europe.

     The rise in the number of STSS cases may possibly be contributed by the increase in various respiratory infections after the relaxation of COVID-19 measures. GAS infection is caused by the bacteria, namely Streptococcus pyogenes, that can be found in the throat and on the skin, which can be transmitted by droplets and contact. The bacteria can cause mild diseases including pharyngitis, impetigo and scarlet fever to iGAS disease such as necrotizing fasciitis and STSS.

     Anyone can get iGAS disease, but the elderly and young children, persons with chronic illnesses (e.g. diabetes) or immunocompromised persons may be at higher risk. People with breaks in the skin or with recent viral infections (e.g. chickenpox, influenza, etc.) are also at higher risk of developing iGAS disease. On the other hand, the disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics and prompt treatment helps alleviate symptoms faster and prevent complications.

     A spokesman for the CHP reminded travellers to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene as well as practising good wound care in order to reduce their chance of getting infected. Among others, travellers are strongly advised to practise hand hygiene frequently, avoid sharing personal items and put on a surgical mask in case of going to crowded places.

Mosquito-borne diseases

     During their travel, members of the public are also urged to stay vigilant against mosquito-borne diseases including dengue fever (DF), Japanese encephalitis, zika virus infection, malaria, etc. Of note, according to the World Health Organization, the latest surveillance data shows significant increase in DF cases in some places in Asia (such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) and America (such as Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Colombia) compared to the same period last year. The Americas have recorded over 8 million cases of DF reaching a record high number.

     The CHP spokesman reiterated that members of the public should follow stringent anti-mosquito measures when travelling. When travelling to areas where vector-borne diseases are common, they may consider to arrange travel health consultation with doctor at least six weeks before the journey for risk assessment during which the need for any vaccinations, chemoprophylaxis and vector preventive measures will be determined.

     The following measures on mosquito control could reduce the chance of acquiring mosquito-borne disease during travel:

• Wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers
• Use DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and clothing. For details about the use of insect repellents and the key points to be observed, please refer to 'Tips for using insect repellents'
• When engaging in outdoor activities, avoid using fragrant cosmetics or skin care products, re-apply insect repellents according to instructions, and apply insect repellents after sunscreen if both are used

     "Returned travellers should consult a doctor promptly if developing symptoms such as fever, respiratory symptoms, rash or painful swelling, and inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment," the Spokesman added.

     The CHP will continue to monitor local and overseas situation of infectious diseases and provide the latest information to members of the public timely for better understanding on the development of infectious diseases and preparation on precautionary works. For more information, please refer to the CHP website on GAS infection (www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/107780.html), DF (www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/19.html) and travel health service (www.travelhealth.gov.hk).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 19) investigating a suspected case of paralytic shellfish poisoning affecting two members of a family.
 
     The case involves two males aged 51 and 20 respectively, who presented with breathing difficulties, dizziness, slurring of speech, numbness of lower extremities, vomiting and diarrhoea within 3 to 3.5 hours after consuming goose barnacles at home yesterday (June 18). One of the patients attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in the small hours today and was subsequently admitted for treatment. The patients have been in a stable condition.
 
     Initial enquiries revealed that the concerned seafood were purchased from a seafood stall in Yue Wan Market in Chai Wan. An investigation by the CHP is continuing.
 
     "Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin is a natural toxin sometimes found in bivalve shellfish. It is heat-stable and cannot be destroyed through cooking," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     "The symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning are predominantly neurological and the onset is usually within minutes to hours after ingestion of the shellfish. Initial symptoms may include tingling, numbness of the mouth and extremities, a headache, dizziness and gastrointestinal discomfort. In the majority of cases, symptoms are resolved completely within a few days. In severe cases, difficulty in swallowing and speech, paralysis with respiratory arrest and even death may occur," the spokesman added.
 
     The spokesman reminded members of the public that they should seek medical advice immediately if they develop shellfish poisoning symptoms, and save any leftovers for investigation and laboratory testing.

     To reduce the risk of shellfish poisoning, the public should:
 

• Buy shellfish from reliable and licensed seafood shops;
• Remove the viscera, gonads and roe before cooking and discard any cooking liquid before consumption;
• Eat a smaller amount of shellfish in any one meal; and
• When symptoms occur after consuming shellfish, seek medical advice immediately.

     A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (June 19) that, in response to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) filing charges against five Health Inspectors of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) yesterday (June 18) for conspiracy to steal, the FEHD has interdicted the staff members concerned from their duties.

     The spokesman stressed that the FEHD attaches great importance to the discipline and conduct of staff and does not tolerate any illegal and fraudulent acts. The department has adopted extra precautionary measures, including refining the working guidelines, streamlining procedures and enhancing the information system for the procurement and record of food samples by the CFS. These efforts aim to enhance the supervisory work. The department has also invited the ICAC to assist in improving the relevant procedures.

     In view of the ongoing legal proceedings, the FEHD will not comment on the specifics of the case.

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the 2024 Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai today (June 19). He addressed the second plenary session "Strengthening International Monetary Policy Coordination and Addressing the Challenges of Global Economic Recovery" to talk about how Hong Kong copes with challenges and promotes market development under the current international monetary policy from three perspectives, namely global monetary policy and real economic performance, financial stability, and financial market development.

     Mr Hui noted that the current monetary policy and the performance of the real economy interact with each other. With the current outlook for inflation in the United States (US) and the extent of future interest rate cuts uncertain, he opined that in the real economy, attention should be paid to the factors that concern global investors, including the geopolitical situation, the impact of artificial intelligence on productivity, and developments in the private credit market.

     Mr Hui also pointed out that under the influence of global monetary policies, Hong Kong needs to keep in view the changes in capital flows caused by the interest rate environment and its impact on the financial market. He said, "The Exchange Fund provides strong support for the stability of the Hong Kong dollar exchange rate. As of April this year, the foreign currency reserve assets exceeded HK$3.2 trillion, equivalent to about 1.7 times the Hong Kong dollar monetary base. Moreover, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government also works with regulators to closely monitor the financial market to ensure that it operates in a stable manner."

     Changes in the interest rate environment also give impetus to Hong Kong's financial development. Mr Hui remarked that Hong Kong has the largest offshore Renminbi (RMB) liquidity pool, and enjoys unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" arrangement to develop the offshore RMB market.

     He said, "As US dollar interest rates are now relatively high, issuers will have a cost advantage in raising funds by issuing bonds in RMB. We have also noticed that the interest rate situation has boosted the issuance of offshore RMB bonds in Hong Kong. The issuance size exceeded RMB490 billion last year, representing an increase of 88 per cent over the previous year and reaching a record high." Mr Hui added that investors are more interested in products with floating interest rates and flexible terms under a rising interest rate environment, and have significantly increased their investments in private credit in the past few years. He expected Hong Kong to examine whether there is room to promote further development of the private credit market as it continues to foster the asset and wealth management market.

     As artificial intelligence technology, which is constantly evolving, has been applied to many areas of Hong Kong's financial industry, Mr Hui said the HKSAR Government will keep an open mind, closely monitor market developments and draw on local and overseas experience in order to promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the financial industry.

     This year's forum, themed "Promoting World Economic Growth with High-quality Financial Development", is cohosted by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, the People's Bank of China, the National Financial Regulatory Administration and the China Securities Regulatory Commission. A number of top government officials and leaders of financial regulators from the country and abroad, heads of international financial organisations and financial institutions, as well as renowned experts and scholars, have been invited to speak at the forum to offer their unique insights.

     Apart from attending the Luijiazui Forum, Mr Hui also visited the Denglin Technology Company Limited in Shanghai. The company is engaged in the research and development of artificial intelligence chips and technology innovation. Its research and development includes the creation of cutting-edge chip products and software, which continue to expand in finance and many other areas. Mr Hui encouraged the specialist technology company to apply for a listing in Hong Kong under Chapter 18C.

     The Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Ms Salina Yan, also attended the 2024 Luijiazui Forum today and joined other programmes of the visit. Yesterday (June 18) in Shanghai, Ms Yan visited the Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange and shared views on the carbon market development of Shanghai and Hong Kong with the Chairman of the Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange, Mr Lai Xiaoming. Ms Yan then visited the Shanghai Futures Exchange to learn about the latest developments in Shanghai's futures markets and discussed further co-operation between the future markets of Shanghai and Hong Kong with the Chief Executive Officer of the Shanghai Futures Exchange, Mr Wang Fenghai. 

     Mr Hui and Ms Yan will visit and exchange views at the Shanghai Data Exchange and the CCB Fintech Company Limited (CCB Fintech) tomorrow (June 20). The Shanghai Data Exchange was established in November 2021, with the mission to build a data factor market and promote the process of data assetisation. Its trading scale is now expanding, and trading is becoming more active. CCB Fintech, founded in 2018, is the largest bank-based fintech company among large state-owned commercial banks. It has continuously strengthened the co-operation between industry, government, academia and research, contributing to the building of a strong financial country. 

     Mr Hui and Ms Yan will return to Hong Kong in the evening tomorrow.