The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 3) said that one new confirmed melioidosis infection case had been recorded in the past week (April 26 to May 2).

     The case involves a 69-year-old female with underlying illnesses who lives on Lamma Island. She started coughing since early April and attended Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong on April 16 due to worsening symptoms and a fever. She was admitted on the same day. She is in stable condition. Her clinical sample was confirmed positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.

     The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing. So far, two melioidosis infection cases have been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2023, 17 melioidosis infection cases were recorded.

     A spokesman for the CHP reiterated that person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but melioidosis bacteria can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year. According to literature, infection cases are more common after typhoons or storms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei of melioidosis in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or storms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or storms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.

     The CHP reminded members of the public that melioidosis can be spread by contaminated soil and water during and after typhoons and storms. Where practicable, people should stay indoors during typhoons and storms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and do not wade in or have contact with muddy water and soil. In addition, high-risk individuals should avoid paths near stormwater drains where aerosols may be generated from contaminated water.

     Members of the public should also take the following preventive measures against infection:
 

• Avoid contact with contaminated soil;
• Wear appropriate protective clothing or footwear when participating in activities with possible contact with soil or water, e.g. using gloves and wearing boots. High-risk individuals may also consider wearing a surgical mask;
• Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;
• Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover any cuts or grazes with waterproof dressings;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soil or gardening;
• Observe food hygiene and avoid drinking raw water; and
• Travellers can contract the disease through outdoor water sports. Risk of infection can be minimised by avoiding exposure to water sources (such as rivers, ponds or lakes) that might be contaminated.

     â€‹The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromised conditions, in order to receive appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP at www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     The Judiciary today (May 3) called on the public again to stay vigilant to a phishing email sent from the email account "Hong Kong High Court – noreply@judiciary.hk <noreply-hk-judiciary-com-autonotifservice-f4904c-89abe09z0@githner.com.mx>". The email falsely claims that it was issued by the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and is suspected of containing a malicious link. The Judiciary has reported the case to the Police.
 
     Members of the public are reminded to stay alert to suspicious emails and refrain from opening them. Anyone who has provided personal information to the email sender or clicked the link in the email is advised to contact the Police immediately.

     Hongkong Post announced today (May 3) that, as advised by the postal administration of France, mail delivery services previously impacted by protests have returned to normal.

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (May 3).
 
     The value of total retail sales in March 2024, provisionally estimated at $31.2 billion, decreased by 7.0% compared with the same month in 2023. The revised estimate of the combined value of total retail sales in January and February 2024 increased by 1.4% compared with the same period a year earlier. For the first quarter of 2024, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales decreased by 1.3% compared with the same period in 2023.
 
     Of the total retail sales value in March 2024, online sales accounted for 7.8%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $2.4 billion, decreased by 4.7% compared with the same month in 2023. The revised estimate of the combined value of online retail sales in January and February 2024 decreased by 13.4% compared with the same period a year earlier. For the first quarter of 2024, it was provisionally estimated that the value of online retail sales decreased by 10.7% compared with the same period in 2023.
 
     After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in March 2024 decreased by 8.6% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the combined volume of total retail sales in January and February 2024 decreased by 0.4% compared with the same period a year earlier. For the first quarter of 2024, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales decreased by 3.1% in volume compared with the same period in 2023.
 
     Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing March 2024 with March 2023, the value of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts decreased by 17.7%. This was followed by sales of commodities in supermarkets (-3.4% in value); wearing apparel (-17.5%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-11.3%); commodities in department stores (-14.1%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (-15.5%); fuels (-14.5%); furniture and fixtures (-3.3%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-10.7%); Chinese drugs and herbs (-5.8%); and optical shops (-10.1%).
 
     On the other hand, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 8.7% in March 2024 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of medicines and cosmetics (+8.9% in value); motor vehicles and parts (+7.6%); and books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+6.8%).
 
     Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the preceding quarter, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales increased by 0.7%.
 
Commentary
 
     A government spokesman said that the value of total retail sales turned to a fall in March, partly due to a high base of comparison for visitor spending and the Easter holidays. For the first quarter as a whole, total retail sales value saw a mild decrease of 1.3% from a year earlier. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, the value of total retail sales increased by 0.3%.
 
     Looking ahead, the spokesman added that further revival of inbound tourism and rising household income should remain supportive to the retail sector. The Government's efforts to promote a mega event economy and boost sentiment should also help. Yet, the changing consumption patterns of visitors and residents may continue to pose challenges. The Government will continue to monitor the situation.
 
Further information
 
     Table 1 presents the revised figures on value index and value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for February 2024 as well as the provisional figures for March 2024. The provisional figures on the value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet as well as the corresponding year-on-year changes for the first quarter of 2024 are also shown.
 
     Table 2 presents the revised figures on value of online retail sales for February 2024 as well as the provisional figures for March 2024. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first quarter of 2024 are also shown.
 
     Table 3 presents the revised figures on volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for February 2024 as well as the provisional figures for March 2024. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first quarter of 2024 are also shown.
 
     Table 4 shows the movements of the value and volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a three-month period compared with the preceding three-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.
 
     The classification of retail establishments follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
 
     These retail sales statistics measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail establishments and are primarily intended for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector. Data on retail sales are collected from local retail establishments through the Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS). Local retail establishments with and without physical shops are covered in MRS and their sales, both through conventional shops and online channels, are included in the retail sales statistics.
 
     The retail sales statistics cover consumer spending on goods but not on services (such as those on housing, catering, medical care and health services, transport and communication, financial services, education and entertainment) which account for over 50% of the overall consumer spending. Moreover, they include spending on goods in Hong Kong by visitors but exclude spending outside Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents. Hence they should not be regarded as indicators for measuring overall consumer spending.
 
     Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the data series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product published at quarterly intervals. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether locally or abroad. Please refer to the C&SD publication "Gross Domestic Product (Quarterly)" for more details.
 
     More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales". Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080003&scode=530).
 
     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of C&SD (Tel. : 3903 7400; E-mail : mrs@censtatd.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:     

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, announced today (May 3) the relevant per annum interest rate for the fourth interest payment of the series of retail green bonds due 2025 (Issue Number: 03GR2505R; Stock Code: 4252) (the Retail Green Bonds) issued under the Government Green Bond Programme.
 
     According to the Issue Circular dated April 26, 2022 for the Retail Green Bonds, the fourth interest payment of the Retail Green Bonds is scheduled to be made on May 20, 2024, and the relevant interest rate is scheduled to be determined and announced on May 3, 2024 as the higher of the prevailing Floating Rate and Fixed Rate. 
 
     On May 3, 2024, the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate are as follows:
 
Floating Rate: +2.25 per cent (Annex)
Fixed Rate: +2.50 per cent
 
     Based on the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate set out above, the relevant interest rate for the fourth interest payment is determined and announced as 2.50 per cent per annum.