Tag Archives: China

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) reminds the public the do’s and don’ts when encountering monkeys, subsequent to a case in which a person was attacked by a monkey and contracted a disease after coming into contact with a monkey in the countryside.

     An AFCD spokesman said, “When encountering monkeys, members of the public should avoid eating in front of monkeys, and avoid direct eye contact with monkeys to prevent it from being perceived as a provocative behaviour. When monkeys approach, one should slow down and keep an appropriate distance from them, and refrain from getting close to or touching them. If any person has come into contact with a monkey or its excrement, he or she should immediately wash hands thoroughly with soap and water to maintain personal hygiene. In the event of being bitten or scratched by a monkey, immediate medical assistance should be sought.”

     The spokesman also pointed out that the wild animal feeding ban area has been extended to cover the entire territory of Hong Kong. Anyone who feeds wild animals anywhere in Hong Kong without a special permit will be prosecuted. Under the existing Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170), illegal feeding of wild animals, including monkeys, is subject to a maximum fine of $10,000 upon conviction. 

     The spokesman strongly appealed to the public not to feed monkeys. Apart from violating the law, illegal feeding will also change the living habits of wild animals, making them dependent on human beings for food and causing nuisance or even risks to the public.

     The AFCD will continue to neuter monkeys to control their population in the long run, and continue to step up education and publicity such that more people will understand the living habits of monkeys and promote the message of “stop feeding of wild animals”. 

     If a person is disturbed by monkeys, he or she can call 1823 to report the incident to the AFCD for follow-up. Please call 999 for Police’s assistance in emergency situations. The AFCD has also put up posts on its social media platform, mounted posters and banners at prominent locations in country parks and distributed leaflets about monkeys, to convey the above messages to the public. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced toda… read more

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Yellow fire danger warning      The fire danger situation today (April 4) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 3) investigating a case of human infection of B virus (also known as human simiae virus), and urged the public to refrain from touching or feeding wild monkeys to minimise the risk of contracting the virus.

    The case involves a 37-year-old male with good past health, who was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital through accident and emergency department on March 21 due to fever and decreased conscious level. He is now receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital and his condition is critical. Cerebrospinal fluid specimen of the patient tested positive for B virus by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP today.

    According to the information provided by his family members and preliminary investigations, the patient had contacts with wild monkeys and was wounded by them during his visit to Kam Shan Country Park in late February. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing.

    A spokesman for the CHP said that this is the first B virus human infection case recorded by the CHP, but these cases had been reported in other places such as the United States, Canada, the Mainland and Japan, and were mainly caused by bites or scratches by monkeys while human-to-human transmissions are very rare. Members of the public are strongly urged to refrain from touching or feeding wild monkeys.

    The spokesman supplemented that B virus is naturally carried in the saliva, urine and stool of macaques, which is a type of wild monkeys commonly found in Hong Kong. Infected persons may initially present with flu-like symptoms that may progress to infection of the central nervous system.

    To minimise risk of acquiring B virus, members of the public are advised to note the following:

1. Stay away from wild monkeys and avoid touching or feeding them;
2. In case there are wounds caused by monkeys, wash the wound with running water and seek medical attention immediately.

    Members of the public may also visit website of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for more information on do’s and don’ts when encountering monkeys: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/con_fau/con_fau_nui/con_fau_nui_str/con_fau_nui_str.html. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 3) investigating a case of human infection of B virus (also known as herpes simiae virus), and urged the public to refrain from touching or feeding wild monkeys to minimise the risk of contracting the virus.

    The case involves a 37-year-old male with good past health, who was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital through accident and emergency department on March 21 due to fever and decreased conscious level. He is now receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital and his condition is critical. Cerebrospinal fluid specimen of the patient tested positive for B virus by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP today.

    According to the information provided by his family members and preliminary investigations, the patient had contacts with wild monkeys and was wounded by them during his visit to Kam Shan Country Park in late February. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing.

    A spokesman for the CHP said that this is the first B virus human infection case recorded by the CHP, but these cases had been reported in other places such as the United States, Canada, the Mainland and Japan, and were mainly caused by bites or scratches by monkeys while human-to-human transmissions are very rare. Members of the public are strongly urged to refrain from touching or feeding wild monkeys.

    The spokesman supplemented that B virus is naturally carried in the saliva, urine and stool of macaques, which is a type of wild monkeys commonly found in Hong Kong. Infected persons may initially present with flu-like symptoms that may progress to infection of the central nervous system.

    To minimise risk of acquiring B virus, members of the public are advised to note the following:

1. Stay away from wild monkeys and avoid touching or feeding them;
2. In case there are wounds caused by monkeys, wash the wound with running water and seek medical attention immediately.

    Members of the public may also visit website of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for more information on do’s and don’ts when encountering monkeys: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/con_fau/con_fau_nui/con_fau_nui_str/con_fau_nui_str.html. read more