The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Influenza A in a medical ward, the spokesperson for Haven of Hope Hospital gave the following update today (March 21):

     Following a contact tracing investigation, five more patients (aged 61 to 88) have tested positive for Influenza A. Among the previous confirmed cases, an 89-year-old patient passed away yesterday (March 20) afternoon due to underlying diseases, while the others are being treated in isolation and are in stable condition. 

     Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the wards 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 following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Human Metapneumovirus in a male adult psychiatric ward, the spokesperson for Castle Peak Hospital made the following update today (March 21):

     Two more patients (aged 31 and 59) in the ward have presented with respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and their test results were positive to Human Metapneumovirus. The patients concerned are being treated in isolation and are in stable condition. 

     Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. 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 Department of Health (DH) today (March 21) appealed to the public not to buy or consume a slimming product with a Korean name (see photo), as it was found to contain an undeclared controlled and banned drug ingredient.

     Acting upon a public complaint, the DH obtained a sample of the above product via a social media platform for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the sample contained sibutramine, which is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138). The DH's investigation is continuing.

     Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, pharmaceutical products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of an increased cardiovascular risk.

     According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

     The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources. Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop consuming it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption.

     The spokesman added that weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control. They may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for "Health message on overweight problem and slimming products" and "Slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients" for information.

     The public may submit the product to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1801, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

  

     Police today (March 21) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Sham Shui Po.

     Chan Chi-keung, aged 74, went missing after he was last seen on Lai Chi Kok Road on March 18 morning. The staff of caring centre made a report to Police the next day (March 19).

     He is about 1.78 metres tall, 70 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short white hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, a yellow shirt, blue jeans and red sport shoes.

     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 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station

    

     Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Administrative Committee of Wuhan East Lake High-Tech Development Zone (WEHDZ) co-hosted a seminar in Wuhan, Hubei Province, today (March 21), encouraging local high-tech enterprises to make full use of Hong Kong's business advantages and opportunities in innovation development amid the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) development to expand overseas.

     Entitled "Opportunities for Wuhan and Hong Kong: Collaborative Development of Innovation and Technology", the seminar was co-organised by InvestHK, the Administrative Committee of WEHDZ, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan (WHETO) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) under the Financial Secretary's Office of the Government of the HKSAR, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). It was also supported by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Hubei Provincial People's Government, and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Wuhan Municipal People's Government.
  
     The seminar began with welcoming remarks by the Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Dr Jimmy Chiang; followed by Deputy Director of Administrative Committee of Wuhan East Lake High-Tech Development Zone Mr Li Shiting; the Director of the WHETO, Mr Franco Kwok; and the Regional Director of Eastern and Central China, HKTDC, Mr Kent Lyu.
  
     Dr Chiang said, "Under 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong continues to integrate into the overall development of the country by reinforcing its traditional status as an international financial, transportation and trade centre, as well as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. The city is also moving at full steam to develop its new positioning in emerging areas such as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. The newly released Policy Address by the Chief Executive emphasises the importance of I&T, and launches a series of policies to support the development of I&T enterprises in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has maintained close collaboration with Wuhan. It has been the largest source of foreign direct investment in Wuhan and one of the major business and trade partners of Wuhan. Wuhan enterprises can make good use of Hong Kong's professional services, as well as its advantages in I&T to expand overseas." He hoped that Mainland enterprises could understand Hong Kong's unique advantages and opportunities as well as the city's role as a bridge between the Mainland and the world through InvestHK's promotional works, assisting Mainland enterprises to go global and attracting foreign investment to the Mainland.
  
     Mr Li said, "Innovation is the core driver for high-quality development, while being open for co-operation is the key to achieving innovative development. Hong Kong as an international financial, trade, shipping and I&T centre has unique advantages and abundant resources in various areas, generating lots of co-operation opportunities with the WEHDZ in I&T and industrial development."
         
     Mr Kwok said, "The latest Budget in Hong Kong announced a number of measures to support the development of I&T, facilitating Hong Kong to develop into an international I&T centre. Wuhan as a national science and technology innovation centre is on the same path with Hong Kong which is actively developing the city into an international I&T centre. The two places are inseparable and have great potential for co-operative development."
     
     Representing the HKTDC, Mr Lyu briefed the audience about its work plan in central Mainland China. The Deputy Director of the Bureau of investment promotion of the WEHDZ, Ms Chen Yu, and Vice President (Advanced Manufacturing and New Energy Technology) of OASES Mr Benjamin Wong, introduced Wuhan and Hong Kong's policies and business environments related to high-tech and innovative industry development respectively, exploring the co-operation opportunities in I&T development of the two cities in the keynote speech session. The Assistant Vice President of Global Issuer Services, Sales & Marketing and Equities of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Ms Bella Li, briefed the audience on the latest rules on listing in Hong Kong.
         
     In the second half of the seminar, the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of WHETO, Mr Zhou Yikai, hosted a panel discussion on the new co-operation opportunities between Wuhan and Hong Kong in I&T development, with speakers including the Vice President of HanxBio, Mr Bruce Zhong; the Managing Partner of Luojia Capital, Mr Gary Lin; HKTDC Research Department Economist Mr Eric Chu, and Senior Manager of Business Development of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Mr Matt Hu. They discussed the integration and co-operation opportunities in developing I&T industries of the two places, and shared thoughts on how enterprises can expand and upgrade their business via the two cities.

     For photos of the seminar, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720315575055.