The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 12) investigating an imported co-infection case of Zika virus and dengue fever (DF), and urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene as well as to adopt strict anti-mosquito measures during travel. Pregnant women should pay close attention to the infection risk if they travel to affected areas.

     The case involves a 16-year-old male patient with good past health, who had developed a fever, headache and pain behind the eyes since April 7. He sought medical attention at St Teresa's Hospital on the same day and then at St Paul's Hospital the next day (April 8) where he was admitted for management. His blood specimen tested positive for both Zika virus and dengue virus. He has been in stable condition all along.

     The CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations, revealing that the patient had stayed in Ko Lanta Island, Thailand from March 28 to April 3, and returned to Hong Kong on April 6. He recalled multiple mosquito bites during the recreational activity held outdoors at Ko Lanta Island. His travel collateral developed similar symptoms and has been arranged for admission at United Christian Hospital. Initial investigation revealed that there was no other participant from Hong Kong joining the activity. The CHP will report the case to the health authority of Thailand. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. The contact tracing and follow-up investigation of the CHP are ongoing.

     As regards the situation of Zika virus transmission, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), multiple countries/areas in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia (including Thailand) have recorded with current or previous Zika virus transmissions. The CHP has informed the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for vector surveillance and control. Zika Virus Infection is a statutorily notifiable infectious disease in Hong Kong, suspected or confirmed cases must be promptly notified for investigation, control and surveillance.

     The patient was also co-infected with DF. As of yesterday (April 11), 13 imported cases of DF had been recorded in 2024 in Hong Kong. In 2023, 62 imported cases of DF were recorded. According to the WHO, the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2023, ongoing transmission, combined with an unexpected spike in DF cases, has resulted in close to a historic high of over 5 million cases and more than 5 000 dengue-related deaths reported in over 80 countries/territories. The latest surveillance data shows that there is an increase in DF cases noted in some places in Asia (such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) compared to the same period last year. Since the beginning of 2024, the Americas, including Brazil, Argentina and Peru, have recorded over 3 million cases, reaching a record number of cases. Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).

     A spokesman for the CHP said that, Zika Virus Infection and DF are both mosquito-borne diseases. A single mosquito may carry more than one virus, including Zika and dengue viruses. After being bitten by an infected mosquito, humans may get infected by one or more viruses simultaneously. According to medical literature, co-infection of Zika virus and DF is not uncommonly seen in areas where these viruses are both endemic. To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika Virus Infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor.

     The CHP's Port Health Division has been carrying out inspections and health promotions (including reminding travellers to adopt anti-mosquito measures when travelling) at boundary control points (BCPs) to maintain strict environmental hygiene with effective mosquito control, and keeping close contact with relevant stakeholders (e.g. airlines and the travel industry) to provide the latest disease information and health advice at appropriate times. Routine health surveillance on body temperature of inbound travellers at all BCPs is ongoing.

     Zika virus and dengue virus are primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Aedes aegypti, which is currently not found in Hong Kong, is considered the most important vector for Zika virus and dengue virus. But Aedes albopictus, which can also spread DF, is a mosquito commonly found in the locality. Most people infected with Zika virus infection are asymptomatic. For patients with symptoms, they commonly present with rash, fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise and headache. Zika Virus Infection during pregnancy is a cause of microcephaly and other congenital malformations in the infant, and it can also cause complications such as fetal loss, stillbirth and preterm birth. 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 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 Zika 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.

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs today (April 12) detected a passenger drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 10 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $10 million. A man was arrested.

     A 29-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed in the inner layers of 10 down jackets inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 13).

     Following the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

  

Attention TV/radio announcers:

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

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 12) that due to urgent clearance work, Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool in Wong Tai Sin District has been temporarily closed and will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow (April 13).
 

     Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Welcome Dinner of InnoEX today (April 12):
 
Margaret (Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Ms Margaret Fong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening. It is my great pleasure to join you all today at this welcome dinner to usher in the four-day InnoEX, which is part of our exciting Business of Innovation & Technology Week (BIT Week). First of all, a very warm welcome to our guests and friends from the Mainland and overseas.
 
     Following the great success last year, tomorrow we will unveil the second edition of InnoEX. I am proud to say that this year’s InnoEX is not only bigger in scale, but also more diverse in spectrum. We have over 450 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, 16 Mainland provinces and cities, and countries such as France, Canada, India, the United Kingdom and many allies from the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). I can’t wait to see the creative tech solutions that will be showcased starting from tomorrow, echoing the theme of the InnoEX this year, "Innovations for a Smarter World".
 
     Pushing ahead the Hong Kong I&T (innovation and technology) Development Blueprint published in 2022, we fuel innovation to drive high-quality development of Hong Kong and contribute to our country’s nation-wide policy to develop the "new quality productive forces". As an “INNOvative” and “EXtraordinary” city, Hong Kong possesses unique advantages to position herself as a leading international I&T hub.
 
     Hong Kong stays "INNOvative". Our excellence in I&T is built upon our solid R&D (research and development) foundation, in which we nurture five world’s top 100 universities, 16 State Key Laboratories, six Hong Kong Branches of Chinese National Engineering Research Centres, and 29 research laboratories under two major R&D clusters set up by 30 world-renowned universities, and numerous world-class experts and scholars. Our strong scientific research capability has provided Hong Kong with a steady stream of innovative ideas and world-impacting scientific breakthroughs.
 
     Meanwhile, Hong Kong is also "Extraordinary". Known as "Asia’s World City", Hong Kong enjoys a blend of East and West with diverse cultures. With the unwavering support from our motherland and the unparalleled advantage brought by the "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong stands ready to build a more vibrant I&T ecosystem and demonstrate our sheer potentials and strengths as a springboard and “super value-adder” between Mainland China and the rest of the world.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, InnoEX, as well as the BIT week, will certainly be the best occasion for you all to experience an “INNOvative” and “EXtraordinary” Hong Kong. Please do spread the good stories with your business partners and stakeholders at home. With your support and participation, I am confident that InnoEX and the BIT Week will grow a signature I&T brand of Hong Kong.
 
     Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to Margaret and your wonderful team at HKTDC, as well as my colleagues in ITIB (Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau) and OGCIO (Office of the Government Chief Information Officer) for their great support to make the BIT Week another great success this year.
 
     May I wish you all a great evening today and I look forward to seeing you all in the coming days. Thank you very much.

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has all along been committed to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat, and raided a licensed fresh provision shop (FPS) in Sha Tin District suspected of selling frozen meat as fresh meat today (April 12).

     During the operation, FEHD officers raided a licensed FPS at Wo Che Market in Sha Tin, and immediately destroyed around 227 kilograms of suspected frozen beef seized. Sample was also collected for detection of preservatives, and prosecutions will be initiated should there be sufficient evidence. The licensee of the FPS is suspected of breaching the licensing condition for the display and sale of frozen meat as fresh meat, and the FEHD is proceeding with the cancellation of the FPS's licence.

     FEHD officers also initiated prosecution against the operator of the FPS for dirtiness of the premises. Verbal warning was also given to the operator for non-compliance with relevant licensing condition by failing to provide delivery notes for inspection.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The selling of chilled meat or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat breaches the licensing condition and causes food safety problems. Also, the operation of these profiteers is unfair to other shops that comply with the requirements."

     The spokesman added, "Anyone selling chilled or frozen meat without permission commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment on conviction. The department will continue to conduct regular inspections at licensed FPSs and market meat stalls, and will actively handle the complaints received. In detecting any irregularities, the FEHD will carry out immediate investigations and take appropriate enforcement action. In addition, the FEHD also proactively investigates suspected violations from time to time and conducts surprise inspections and enforcement actions as necessary. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecutions will be initiated and follow-up action will be taken on any breach of licensing conditions or tenancy agreements. The licences of those FPSs breaching licensing conditions may be cancelled, while the tenancies of market meat stalls breaching tenancy agreements may be terminated."

     The spokesman stressed that the FEHD is very concerned and has been committed to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat by taking stringent enforcement actions against the violations.