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     Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for January 2019 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (March 18) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
 
     In January 2019, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods decreased by 2.2% over January 2018. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 7.7%.
 
     Comparing the three months ending January 2019 with the three months ending January 2018, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods decreased by 4.2%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 6.1%.
 
     Comparing the three-month period ending January 2019 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods decreased by 6.1%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 7.5%.
 
     Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
 
     Comparing January 2019 with January 2018, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.0%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 2.0%.
 
     Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade, which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.
 
     The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same period in 2018, the index remained virtually unchanged in January 2019.

     Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
 
     Comparing January 2019 with January 2018, double-digit decreases were recorded for the total export volume to India (-34.9%) and Taiwan (-16.8%). Concurrently, the total export volume to the USA, the mainland of China (the Mainland) and Japan decreased by 7.8%, 6.2% and 0.5% respectively.
 
     Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to Japan, the USA and the Mainland increased by 3.4%, 2.7% and 2.4% respectively. On the other hand, the total export prices to Taiwan and India decreased by 0.1% and 0.8% respectively.
 
     Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
 
     Comparing January 2019 with January 2018, double-digit decreases were recorded for the import volume from Japan (-15.3%) and Taiwan (-12.7%). Concurrently, the import volume from the USA, the Mainland and Singapore decreased by 9.8%, 4.2% and 2.1% respectively.
 
     Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: the Mainland (+2.7%), Taiwan (+2.4%), Japan (+2.2%), Singapore (+1.8%) and the USA (+0.4%).
 
Further information
 
     Details of the above statistics are published in the January 2019 issue of “Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers”. Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp230.jsp?productCode=B1020006).
 
     Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4918).  read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 18) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
 
     From March 10 to 16, two community-acquired LD cases were reported. They are:
 

1. A female patient, aged 69 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Block 7, King’s Park Villa, 1 King’s Park Rise, Ho Man Tin; and
2. A male patient, aged 63 with good past health, who lives in Hill Lodge, 1 Lok Fung Path, Fo Tan.

     “Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of March 16, 11 LD cases had been reported in 2019. In 2018 and 2017, there were 105 and 72 cases respectively.
 
     “Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels,” the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

    
     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

     1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
     2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
     3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
     4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
     5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD. read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (March 18) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of low patho… read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, March 18, 2019 is 103.2 (down 0.1 against last Saturday’s index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, March 16, 2019 was 103.3 (down 0.1 against last Friday’s index). read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:        The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited on fra… read more