Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (August 17) will be cancelled.

     If the thunderstorm warning is cancelled and weather conditions permit by then, the flag-raising ceremony may be resumed without further notice.

     Three charities have been issued Public Subscription Permits to hold flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm today (August 17). They are, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong Adventure Corps Limited; in Kowloon, Sunrise Ministry Limited; and in the New Territories, International Church of the Foursquare Gospel – Hong Kong District Limited, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.
      
     Arrangements have been made with the charities to help people to distinguish among the three flag-selling activities.    
      
     â€‹Information on the three flag-selling organisations on August 17 is as follows:
 

 
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.
      
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

     A spokesman for the LD said today (August 17) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

     Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

     In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

     The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

     Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     Members of the public are advised to report any street flooding that comes to their notice to the Drainage Services Department by calling the 24-hour drainage hotline on 2300 1110.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (August 16) investigating a case of dengue fever (DF) confirmed in Mainland with a suspected source of infection in Hong Kong, and hence again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     The CHP received notification from the Mainland health authority regarding a DF case involving a 69-year-old man with good past health. The patient developed vomiting on August 9 and departed Hong Kong and travelled to Shaoguan, Guangdong Province on August 10. He developed dizziness and a fever on August 12 during his travel in the Mainland and sought medical attention at outpatient department of a hospital there on the same day. He was admitted on August 13 for treatment and is now in stable condition. According to information provided by the Mainland health authority, blood sample of the patient tested positive for dengue virus upon laboratory testing.

     Initial investigation revealed that the patient lives in Fuk Tai House, Ka Fuk Estate in Fanling. He had no travel history within the incubation period, but had visited The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited Tai Po Gas Production Plant. He recalled no history of mosquito bites in the past three weeks. His home contacts are currently asymptomatic and have been put under medical surveillance.

     No epidemiological linkage has been found so far between this case and other previously recorded DF cases in Hong Kong.

     "The DH is working closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to assess and prevent possible spread of infection. The FEHD's vector investigations, surveillance and control are ongoing. The CHP's epidemiological investigations will continue," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Officers of the CHP will inspect the patient's residence and conduct field investigations to neighbouring residents. In addition, the CHP is now actively contacting residents of Ka Fuk Estate in Fanling to follow up their health conditions. Meanwhile, persons who have been to Ka Fuk Estate in Fanling and the vicinity or Tai Po Gas Production Plant with DF symptoms are urged to call the CHP's hotline (2125 2670) which will operate from 9am to 1pm from tomorrow (August 17) to August 18, and from 9am to 5pm starting from August 19, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. 

     Furthermore, the CHP will hold a health talk jointly with the FEHD at 5pm tomorrow at Cheung Wah Community Hall, during which the CHP will also conduct free DF antibody test for people in the district with relevant symptoms. Moreover, the CHP will also contact the respective District Council members to help disseminate and promote relevant health information to residents.

     "The Hospital Authority has been informed for enhanced surveillance and case reporting," the spokesman added.

     Apart from the above case, three local DF cases have been recorded in Hong Kong this year. Meanwhile, as at August 15, 41 imported DF cases had been recorded this year.

     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 or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     â€‹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
• Reapply 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.

     â€‹The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page 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.