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 male psychiatric ward, the spokesperson for Shatin Hospital made the following update today (April 6):

     One more 45-year-old patient had presented with respiratory symptoms in the ward. Appropriate viral test has been arranged for the patient and the test result was positive to Influenza A. The patient is being treated under isolation and is in stable condition.

     Admission to the concerned ward has been suspended and restricted visiting to the ward 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 case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 6) investigating a food poisoning outbreak related to the consumption of wild mushrooms, and urged the public not to pick and eat wild mushrooms.

     The patients are three women aged from 36 to 45 who developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and sweating 30 minutes after consuming wild mushrooms at home yesterday. All were admitted to Ruttonjee Hospital on the same day. They remained in a stable condition and have been discharged.

     Initial investigations revealed that the wild mushrooms consumed by the patients were picked near Bowen Road on Hong Kong Island yesterday. 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, hallucination, 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.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

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

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 6) that due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, the lifesaving services at Hung Shung Yeh Beach in Islands District is suspended until further notice.

     First aid service will be maintained at the beach.

     The Hong Kong Police Force today (April 6) held the Police Recruitment Day (Spring) at the Police Headquarters to recruit Probationary Inspectors, Recruit Police Constables and Police Constables (Auxiliary).

     A total of 2,010 applications were received in this recruitment exercise, among which 800 were for Probationary Inspector, 1,113 were for Recruit Police Constable, and 97 were for Police Constable (Auxiliary). Applicants included graduates of local and overseas tertiary institutions, working people and ethnic minorities.

     The Police Recruitment Day provides one-stop service to applicants, including initial screening and scheduling of written examination for Probationary Inspector candidates; initial screening and group interview for Recruit Police Constable candidates; and initial screening and seminar for Police Constable (Auxiliary) candidates, which helps shorten the time required for the recruitment process. Successful applicants for the posts of Police Recruit Constable and Probationary Inspector will undergo training at the Hong Kong Police College in May and June at the earliest respectively.

     In the financial year 2019-20, the Force aims to recruit 1,815 police officers, comprising 195 Probationary Inspectors and 1,620 Recruit Police Constables. The Auxiliary Police Force aims to recruit 320 Police Constables (Auxiliary).

     The Force has been adopting a proactive recruitment strategy to attract high calibre candidates who possess the required competencies to serve. Six Volunteer Secondary Duty Cadres including the Technology Crime Initial Response Cadre, Force Search Unit, Police Negotiation Cadre, Force Escort Group, Force Rope Access Cadre and Briefing Support Unit were arranged to introduce their duties and equipment to candidates in the Recruitment Day. In addition, the latest episode of “Madam’s Classroom” series had been launched, introducing the preparations that candidates could make for the Police Inspector Extended Interview.

     The Force accepts job applications year-round. Persons who are interested in applying for Probationary Inspector, Recruit Police Constable or Police Constable (Auxiliary) can complete the application form at the Police website or mail the completed form to the Police Recruitment Division. For more information, please visit the Police recruitment webpage at www.police.gov.hk/recruitment.

      

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 5) seized 82.5 kilograms of suspected rhino horn and cut pieces with an estimated market value of about $16.5 million from a transshipment cargo at the Hong Kong International Airport. This is a record high seizure of suspected rhino horn under smuggling by the department in the past five years.

     Customs officers screened a transshipment cargo arrived from South Africa with Malaysia as its destination.

     The cargo was declared as "auto parts" but suspicious X-ray images were found over it. The seizure was made subsequent to the opening of the consignment.

     The case has been handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up action.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and an imprisonment for ten years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).