The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson for TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital (WTSH) made the following announcement today (May 16): A 91-year-old female … read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 16) investigating two cases 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 first case involves a 6-year-old girl with underlying diseases. She developed a fever and cough on May 9 and sought medical attention from a private doctor on the same day. She was taken to the accident and emergency department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital for medical attention on May 12 due to the worsening of symptoms and was admitted the same day. She was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further management on May 14. She is now in critical condition. Her home contacts are currently asymptomatic.
The second case involves a 6-year-old girl with good past health. She developed a fever and cough with sputum on May 12 and shortness of breath yesterday (May 15). She was taken to the accident and emergency department of United Christian Hospital for medical attention on the same day. She was admitted to a general paediatric ward of the hospital this morning and was subsequently transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit for further management. She is now in serious condition. One of her home contacts is currently symptomatic.
The patients’ respiratory specimens were positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis for both of them was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia. Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the two patients had not received SIV for this season and had no travel history during the incubation period. The CHP’s investigations into the two cases 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 a 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:
A luncheon panel discussion entitled “Hong Kong: A Vibrant Tech Hub for Startups and Corporates” was held in Tokyo, Japan, today (May 16) to promote Hong Kong’s dynamic business environment and proactive approach to innovation and technology (I&T).
Co-organised by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), the panel discussion is a side event of the Hong Kong Pavilion at the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 Global Startup Program, a global start-up event being held from May 15 to 16.
InvestHK Senior Vice President (Startups), Mr Lu Chin-yung, introduced Hong Kong’s vibrant and dynamic start-up ecosystem, noting that according to the results of InvestHK’s 2023 Startup Survey, start-ups in Hong Kong continued to flourish, with the number of start-ups reaching a record high of 4 257, up 272 from the previous year. He added that these start-ups spanned across various business sectors such as financial technology, e-commerce, supply chain management and logistics technology.
Other panelists included HKSTP Business Development Senior Manager Mr Isaac Tse, who introduced the HKSTP’s programmes and support for start-ups; representatives of three start-ups from Hong Kong who shared their experiences in setting up and starting businesses in Hong Kong; and the Chief Commercial Officer of Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Mr Teddy Lui, who introduced how the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund is creating a sustainable impact on Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem, empowers start-ups and supports innovation and technology in Hong Kong and across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The Hong Kong Pavilion at the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 Global Startup Program was set up by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) and InvestHK at Tokyo Big Sight, a convention and exhibition centre in Tokyo. It brings together 20 Hong Kong start-ups to present their business, services and products, and serves as a platform for them to seek business opportunities and collaboration on a global scale. It also introduces to Japanese and international business communities Hong Kong’s dynamic business environment and vibrant and diverse start-up ecosystem as well as its active approach to I&T.
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, had separate meetings with delegations led by Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission Mr Li Ang and the Director of the Health Bureau of the Macao Special Administ… read more
Hong Kong Customs today (May 16) reminded members of the public to stay alert to an unsafe bubble blower. Test results indicated that the small parts of the toy could pose suffocation risks to children. To avoid an accident, parents should immediately stop letting their children play with the bubble blower. Traders should also remove the toy from their shelves.
Customs officers earlier test-purchased a model of bubble blower from a retailer for safety testing. Test results revealed that the lid of the toy was a removable component and failed the related safety tests. Children would face a danger of suffocation if the lid is swallowed. Customs also found that the toy did not carry the required warning about removable small parts specified in the safety standard. Moreover, the bubble blower did not bear the identification markings and the bilingual warnings or cautions prescribed by the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (TCPSO).
Customs later conducted an operation to search the retailer’s premises in connection with the case. No other suspected unsafe bubble blowers were found and a prohibition notice was served at the same time to prohibit the continued sale of the unsafe bubble blower by the retailer.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and playing with toys:
