Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 15) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The case is detailed below:
 

Sex	Female
Age	24
Affected area involved	Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
High-risk exposure	Nil
Hospital	Princess Margaret Hospital
Condition	Stable
MERS-Coronavirus preliminary test result	Negative

                                    
     “Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV),” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP’s surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization’s latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP’s health advice on MERS. read more

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will launch a new round of the Sports Training Programme for Persons with Disabilities from July this year. Seventy-two courses and 10 types of sports training will be organised to provide more opportunities for persons with disabilities to take part in a wide variety of sports activities free of charge.

     A spokesman for the LCSD said, “The programme, which was tailor-made for persons with physical disability, intellectual disability, hearing impairment and visual impairment, was held in seven districts on a pilot basis from November 2018 to March 2019. More types of sports training courses will be held in all 18 districts under the new round of the programme. The scope of the programme will also be expanded to include participation by persons with autism, ex-mentally ill persons and persons with chronic illness. Through systematic and professional sports training, these courses will help arouse the interest of persons with disabilities to participate in sports activities and enhance their physical and mental health.”

     With professional advice provided by relevant national sports associations, these courses are devised to suit the needs of various types of disabilities. The 10 types of sports training include body-mind stretch, badminton, bocce, floor hockey, table tennis, fitness exercise, hydro fitness, wheelchair tennis, swimming and modern dance. Each participant can be accompanied by one carer for assistance during the courses. 

     Prospectuses and enrolment forms can be downloaded from the webpage of Sports Training Programme for Persons with Disabilities under the LCSD’s dedicated website for persons with disabilities (Recreation and Sports Programmes/Facilities). They are also available from the 18 District Leisure Services Offices or sports centres of the LCSD. The programme is open for enrolment from May 17 as follows:
 
(1) enrol in person at any District Leisure Services Offices or recreation and sports venues with Leisure Link Services; or through Leisure Link Self-service Kiosks; or
(2) enrol by mail to the District Leisure Services Office organising the activity; or
(3) enrol through the Leisure Link Internet booking service or mobile Leisure Link e-Services System.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2414 5555. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 15) investigating a suspected food poisoning case related to the consumption of wild mushrooms, and urged the public not to pick and eat wild mushrooms.

     The case involves a 53-year-old female, who developed abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea about 13 hours after consuming wild mushrooms at home on May 13. She sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital today and was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital for further management. She is in a stable condition.
 
     Initial investigations revealed that the patient picked the wild mushrooms that she consumed from the roadside in Ma Yau Tong, Sai Kung, on May 13. The CHP’s investigation is ongoing.

     “Members of the public should not pick wild mushrooms for consumption as it is difficult to distinguish edible mushroom species from inedible ones,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Mushroom poisoning is generally acute. Common presentations include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain appearing shortly after ingestion. Depending on the mushroom species, patients may also have other symptoms like profuse sweating, hallucinations, coma or other neurological symptoms, as well as liver failure. Death may result in severe cases,” he added.

     “If mushroom poisoning is suspected, the patient should seek immediate medical attention and bring along any available remnant for identification,” the spokesman said. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:        The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), annou… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:            The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued today (May 15) a tentative issuance schedule for Exchange Fund Bil… read more