Police today (May 21) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Mong Kok.

     Sze Kim-leung, aged 45, went missing after he was last seen at MTR Mong Kok Station on February 16 morning. His family made a report to Police yesterday (May 20).
              
     He is about 1.7 metres tall, 70 kilograms in weight and of fat build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8038 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
 

  

     The Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, together with the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, and the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Mr Dane Cheng, announced the calendar of mega events in Hong Kong (second half of 2024) today (May 21).
      
     Mr Wong said, “At least 210 mega events will be held throughout 2024, with over 100 events both in the first and second halves of the year. Similar to the first six months, different types of mega events in the second half of the year cover various areas including cultural, arts and creative events; sports; conventions and exhibitions; finance, economy, innovation and technology related events; as well as festivals, celebrations, galas and carnivals. There will be more than 15 new events, and return of popular events. The distribution of types of mega events in the first and second halves are generally similar, which reflects Hong Kong’s year-round offering of diverse events for all to choose from and participate in.”
      
     Mr Wong said that mega events would bring substantial economic benefits. It is estimated that approximately 1.7 million tourists would participate in the mega events in 2024. Their spending is estimated to be about HK$7.2 billion, bringing value-added of about HK$4.3 billion to the Hong Kong economy.”
      
     Mr Yeung said, “To fully exploit the stimulating effect of tourism on various industries, we will strengthen our liaison with industries related to mega events, so that these events may attract more tourists and generate more business opportunities and boost the economic gains of tourism, hotel, catering, retail and other sectors.  We believe that the industries can make reference to the upcoming events, and plan, design, and launch cross-sector promotion and tourism products that connect different sectors and events.  This will create comprehensive and immersive travel experiences for tourists, making them the best ambassadors to tell good stories of Hong Kong.”
      
     Mr Yeung said the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) will continue to fully explore and utilise Hong Kong’s rich tourism resources through thematic tours.  At the same time, the CSTB will continue to extend warm hospitality, with a view to reinforcing and strengthening Hong Kong’s position as “the best tourism destination”.
      
     The HKTB has established the “Mega Events Development and Advancement Division” (MEDA), which has started operating as the first point of contact for mega events. Over the past two months, MEDA has proactively reached out to different event organisers and has received a number of inquiries. Currently, they are handling a total of over 40 projects. Based on the current assessment, five projects have been preliminarily confirmed, with the majority of them planned to take place within this year. The events cover a wide range of fields including ball games, sports tournaments, entertainment performances, and art and cultural activities.
      
     The Government has compiled a calendar of mega events in Hong Kong to keep the public and the relevant industries apprised of the mega events held in Hong Kong. The Government will continuously update the calendar of mega events to inform members of the public and visitors of the mega events to be held in Hong Kong in advance.  With a view to promoting Hong Kong’s status as an Events Capital of Asia, the Government also hopes to foster cross-sector collaboration among different industries and mega events, and encourages the tourism, hotel, catering, retail and other sectors to make plans on promotion and design tourism products beforehand.
      
     The calendar of mega events in Hong Kong (second half of 2024) is in the Annex.  The public can also browse it through the website for Brand Hong Kong (www.brandhk.gov.hk).
     

    

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (May 21) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccination.

     The case involves a 31-year-old male patient with underlying diseases. He had developed a skin rash on May 14 and visited the Yau Ma Tei Male Social Hygiene Clinic of the DH on May 17. He is in stable condition and arrangements have been made for him to be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital.

     An initial investigation revealed that the patient had high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period with no travel history. No epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case and will report the case to the World Health Organization.

     The CHP appeals again to high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccination with a view to lowering the risk of infection or the possibility of having more severe symptoms after infection. Persons who experience Mpox symptoms (including rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches) or suspect themselves of being infected are advised to seek medical attention and receive treatment at once, and they should not engage in activities with others during which other people may have contact with their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact. They should also avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection.

     The CHP had earlier set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373). The hotline operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5pm, which enables those who suspect or are concerned they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, in particular men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice.

     The DH provides vaccination service for high-risk groups of Mpox. The following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination on a voluntary basis:
 

1. Individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
2. Healthcare workers responsible for caring of patients with confirmed Mpox;
3. Laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
4. Animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrence in animals in Hong Kong.

     High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at all of the DH's Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS). Further information of the clinics including their locations is available at www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcf.html and www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcm.html.

     Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre, and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital will also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

     â€‹For more details, please visit the CHP's page on Mpox.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesman for Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals made the following announcement today (May 21):
 
     Three patients (aged 61 to 90) in a male medical ward of Ruttonjee Hospital have presented with fever and respiratory symptoms since May 13. Appropriate viral tests had been arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for influenza A. The patients concerned are being treated in cohort and are in stable condition.
 
     Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 21) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza. The CHP appealed to members of the public to receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) in a timely manner to better protect themselves during the influenza season.

     The case involves a 4-year-old girl with good past health. She developed a fever, cough and runny nose since May 16. She was brought to Kwong Wah Hospital on May 17 for medical attention and was admitted on the same day. She was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital on May 19. Her respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with sepsis and severe pneumonia. She is now in serious condition.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had not received SIV for this season and had no travel history during the incubation period. One of her home contacts is currently symptomatic. 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 6 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 visiting public places. The public should also 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.

     â€‹The public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information.