The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the visiting Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Mr Zhao Houlin, at Government House this afternoon (March 20).
 
     Welcoming Mr Zhao's visit to Hong Kong, Mrs Lam congratulated him on his re-election with overwhelming support as the Secretary-General of the ITU. She said she hopes that Mr Zhao's visit in Hong Kong over the coming days will enhance his understanding of Hong Kong's telecommunications industry and related areas, and strengthen ties and co-operation between Hong Kong and the ITU in the future.
 
     Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong has a first-class telecommunications network, with Internet and mobile penetration rates among the highest in the world, and that the city will continue to enhance its telecommunications infrastructure to lay a solid foundation for development as a smart city. She pointed out that Hong Kong, with excellent city management and professional services, will participate actively in the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly in boosting people-to-people bonds. She said the city is willing to share its experiences with and provide relevant training to developing regions and countries to strengthen their capacity.

  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 20) investigating two cases of measles infection and hence reminded the public that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles.
 
     The first case involves a 38-year-old man with good past health, who developed fever on March 14 and rash on March 16. He attended the Out-patient Department of St Teresa's Hospital on March 16. He sought medical advice at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on March 17 and was admitted for treatment. His throat swab specimen tested positive for measles virus upon laboratory testing. He is in a stable condition.

     The second case involves a 34-year-old man with good past health, who developed fever on March 5 and rash on the following day. He attended private clinics on March 6 and 7. He sought medical advice at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on March 9 and was admitted for treatment. His blood specimen tested positive for measles virus upon laboratory testing. He is in a stable condition and has been discharged.
 
     Epidemiological investigations revealed that both patients' measles vaccination history was unknown and they did not have contact with measles patients during the incubation period. Both patients had no travel history during the communicable period (four days before to four days after the appearance of skin rash). Their home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance.
 
     Investigations are ongoing and relevant contact tracing has been conducted. The places the two patients visited during the communicable period are listed below:
 

 
     A spokesman for the CHP explained that measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It can be transmitted by airborne droplets spread or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, and, less commonly, by articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. A patient can pass the disease to other persons from four days before to four days after the appearance of skin rash.
 
     The spokesman reminded the public that the incubation period of measles ranges from seven days to up to 21 days. Contacts who are not immune to measles may develop relevant symptoms, such as fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes, in the incubation period. They should observe if they develop such symptoms in the period. If symptoms arise, they should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals.
 
     In Hong Kong, children are given the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 1 year old, followed by a second dose at Primary One under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme. The coverage of MMR vaccination in Hong Kong is over 95 per cent at Primary One. 
 
     "Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. Members of the public who are planning to travel to places with high incidence or outbreaks of measles should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially people born outside Hong Kong who might not have received measles vaccination during childhood. The history of measles vaccination in Hong Kong is available in the CHP's measles thematic page. Those who have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines, with unknown vaccination history or with unknown immunity against measles are urged to consult their doctor for advice on vaccination at least two weeks before departure," the spokesman said.
  
     Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
 

• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
• Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
• Clean used toys and furniture properly; and
• Persons with measles should be kept out of school till four days from the appearance of rash to prevent spread of the infection to non-immune persons in school.

 
     For more information on measles, the public may call the 24-hour health education hotline 2833 0111 or visit the CHP's measles thematic page. For outbreak news of measles outside Hong Kong or the latest travel health advice, please visit the website of DH's Travel Health Service.

     Thirty-nine citizens who helped the Police fight crime were commended at the Good Citizen Award (GCA) Presentation Ceremony today (March 20).

     Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Police Director of Operations, Mr Siu Chak-yee, commended the GCA recipients for their courage, alertness and willingness to help.

     Mr Siu pointed out that the initiative of the GCA echoed with one of the strategies of the Police’s newly launched three-year strategic directions plan, namely “Policing with the Community”. He added that the Force would continue to raise public awareness of fighting crime together.

     Mr Siu also said the Force would promote exchanges with the community through different social media platforms to enhance the public’s understanding of police work and gain their support and trust.

     Also officiating at the ceremony, Mr Lam Kin-hong, a member of the Fight Crime Committee, said that the continuous decline in crime figures in recent years was a result of long-term mutual trust and co-operation between the Police and the community. He hoped the public would continue to help Police fight crime to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Ms Shirley Yuen, praised the GCA recipients as role models for citizens at the ceremony.
 
     With the help of the awardees, 40 persons were arrested for a variety of offences including trafficking in dangerous drugs, theft, rape and wounding.

     Mr Won Wai-man, recipient of the Good Citizen of the Year Award (GCYA), is a primary school teacher of General Studies. He set up a mail box at school to enhance communication with students. He received an anonymous note from a student who claimed to be molested. Mr Won swiftly identified the victim and reported the case to the Police. The culprit was finally convicted of rape and was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

     The youngest awardee, Ms Ng Mo-ping, aged 15, helped intercepting and subduing a man who had stolen passengers’ properties on a Mass Transit Railway train. The man was convicted of theft and attempted theft. He was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment.

     Presented twice a year, the Good Citizen Award is organised by the Police Public Relations Branch, sponsored by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Fight Crime Committee. Each of the awardees receives a certificate and a cheque of $3,000. The GCYA recipient would also be presented with a plaque and a cheque of $4,000. Since 1973, more than 4,000 persons have been commended over the years.

        

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 3 200 suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $520,000 at the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) on March 16. This is the first ever case of smuggling of suspected counterfeit goods by cross-boundary truck at the HZMB Hong Kong Port.

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming truck at the HZMB Hong Kong Port on March 16. A total of about 3 200 suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, footwear, clothing and leather goods, were found inside the cargo compartment of the vehicle. A 60-year-old male driver was arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

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

  

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, visited the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) today (March 20) to learn more about the work of the department and meet with its management and staff of various grades to exchange views on matters of concern.

     Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Thomas Chow, Mr Law met with the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation, Mr Choi Lap-yiu, and the directorate staff to get an update on the department's work including the assessment of properties for rates and Government rent, the management of related accounting and billing functions and the compilation of property market statistics.

     Mr Law later visited the Accounting and Billing Division, which is responsible for billing and management of rates and Government rent accounts, as well as handling departmental accounting work. He said he was pleased to learn that the RVD has been proactively implementing electronic services including online billing, account enquiry and payment, thus providing convenient and environmentally friendly services to the public.

     Mr Law then proceeded to the Enquiries, Receipt and Despatch Section to better understand colleagues' work in handling public enquiries and providing logistics support services. He also visited the Rural Properties and Tenancy Services Division, where he was briefed by colleagues on how they handle rating, Government rent and related matters concerning village-type houses and rural properties.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Law met with staff representatives of various grades at a tea gathering to exchange views on matters that concern them. He expressed his appreciation for colleagues' efforts and encouraged them to continue to make dedicated efforts in providing quality and professional services to the public.