Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 14) investigating a case of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, and hence reminded the public to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene against intestinal infections.

     The case involves an 8-year-old girl with good past health, who has presented with diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fever since July 23. She was admitted to a private hospital on July 24 and was discharged on July 26. The patient has been in a stable condition all along.

     Her stool specimen grew STEC upon laboratory testing.

     The CHP’s initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Investigations are ongoing.

     “Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless. Some strains, however, such as STEC, can produce powerful toxins and cause severe food-borne disease. The most recognised serogroup of STEC is E. coli O157:H7,” a spokesman for the CHP explained.

     Preventive measures for STEC infection are similar to those recommended for other food-borne diseases. The public is advised to observe good personal and food hygiene:
 

• Adopt the 5 Keys to Food Safety in handling food, i.e. Choose (choose safe raw materials), Clean (keep hands and utensils clean), Separate (separate raw and cooked food), Cook (cook thoroughly) and Safe Temperature (keep food at a safe temperature) to prevent food-borne diseases;
• Wash hands properly with liquid soap and water before handling food, after handling raw meat or poultry and before eating, and after going to the toilet or changing diapers;
• Cook food and boil water thoroughly before consumption. When cooking or reheating, the core temperature of the food should reach at least 75 degrees Celsius;
• Avoid consumption of unpasteurised milk or undercooked food; and
• Consult your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of STEC infection, particularly bloody diarrhoea.

     The public may visit the CHP’s STEC page for more information.  read more

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, visited the Tai Tong Forest Nursery of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department in Yuen Long today (August 14) to learn more about the work of front-line colleagues and meet with staff of various grades to exchange views on matters of concern. Joining the visit were two participants of the “Be a Government Official for a Day” programme.

     Mr Law first met with the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Leung Siu-fai, and the directorate staff to get an update on their work in facilitating agricultural and fisheries production and conserving the natural environment as well as the challenges confronting them.

     Mr Law then toured the Tai Tong Forest Nursery to see how colleagues produce tree seedlings. He learnt that the nursery produced about 400 000 tree seedlings of more than 100 species for planting and increasing the biodiversity in country parks in 2018-19.

     Mr Law also watched the production of wooden products by a specialised team at the Tai Tong Regional Workshop. He said he was pleased to know that the team produces more than 250 wooden products such as shelters, information boards, tables and benches, pai lau and children’s play equipment for various country parks on average every year, and turns ageing trees and dead wood into furnishings, making good use of natural resources and offering an enjoyable outdoor recreational experience for visitors.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Law met with staff representatives of various grades at a tea gathering to exchange views on matters that concerned them. He praised colleagues for their efforts and encouraged them to continue to provide quality services to members of the public with dedication.

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released today (August 14) the key analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund at the end of July 2019.
 
     Foreign assets, representing the external assets of the Exchange Fund, increased during the month by HK$32.3 billion to HK$3,686.2 billion.
 
     The Monetary Base, comprising Certificates of Indebtedness, Government‑issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the balance of the banking system and Exchange Fund Bills and Notes issued, amounted to HK$1,633.1 billion.
 
     Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong amounted to HK$182.1 billion.
 
     The analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund are released in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) and are referred to as the Analytical Accounts of the Central Bank under SDDS (Annex).
 
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     At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund’s data are issued by the HKMA each month.  Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS).  The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund’s Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA’s policy of maintaining a high level of transparency.  For the month of August 2019, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
 

August 7  (Issued)	SDDS International Reserves (Hong Kong’s Latest Foreign Currency Reserve Assets Figures)
August 14	SDDS Analytical Accounts of the Central Bank (Analytical Accounts of the Exchange Fund)
August 30	SDDS Template on International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity
August 30	Exchange Fund Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account

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     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 is 106.3 (down 0.5 against yesterday’s index). read more

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 … read more