The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 24) investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at a primary school in Sheung Shui, and hence reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against AGE.

     The outbreak involves eight boys and 12 girls aged 8 to 10, who have developed vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fever since January 22. Among them, 19 sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All patients have been in a stable condition.
 
     Officers of the CHP conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff of the school concerning proper and thorough disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The school has been put under medical surveillance.

     The CHP's investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive measures against gastroenteritis:
 

• Ensure proper personal hygiene;
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, after using the toilet or after changing diapers;
• Wear gloves when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, and wash hands afterwards;
• Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water). Wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Pay attention to food hygiene;
• Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;
• Drink boiled water; and
• Do not patronise unlicensed food premises or food stalls.

     The public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Health Education Hotline (2833 0111) for more information.

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, visited Yuen Long District this afternoon (January 24).

     Mr Lau first had a meeting with the Chairman of Yuen Long District Council, Mr Shum Ho-kit, and other members, during which they exchanged views on issues of concern including implementation details of the Caring and Sharing Scheme, district banking services and loan-to-value ratios for property mortgages.

     He then proceeded to Youth College (Tin Shui Wai) and the Hotel and Tourism Institute (Tin Shui Wai) of the Vocational Training Council, where he was briefed on their teaching philosophy and facilities. He commended the teaching staff for striving to provide an interactive learning environment for students and assisting them to acquire knowledge and skills for further studies and employment.

     As the visit was done during lesson time, in addition to touring the training facilities Mr Lau also joined the students in making bread and observed some hairdressing training. He encouraged the students to make the best out of their classes and equip themselves for future career development.

     Finally, Mr Lau went to the Mutual Help Child Care Centre operated by the Tin Shui Wai Women Association Limited to see the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project provided there. He chatted with child carers to learn more about the training they have received and details of the programme. Those serving as child carers are mainly from low-income or new-arrival families. The programme provides needy parents with flexible child care support services.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesperson of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following announcement today (January 24):
 
     Five patients (aged 28 to 72) and three staff members of a male ward of the Department of Medicine in QEH have presented with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms since January 16. Clinical tests were arranged and the test results were positive for Influenza A. The patients are being treated under isolation. Two of the patients, aged 72 and 64, are in a critical and serious condition respectively, while the other three patients are in a stable condition. The staff members concerned are currently on leave.
 
     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Influenza A in a female ward of the Department of Medicine in QEH, one more 58-year-old female patient in the ward has presented with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. Clinical tests were arranged and the test result was positive for Influenza A. The patient is being treated under isolation and is in a stable condition.
 
     Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the wards are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

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 Hong Leong Bank Berhad on phishing email, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the email concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the email should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The "Let's Move 2019" Carnival and the Launching Ceremony of the School Sports Programme (Special Schools), both organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), were held at Kowloon Park Sports Centre today (January 24). About 600 students, teachers and accompanying carers from 16 special schools viewed sports demonstrations and joined participation activities to share the fun of sports at the events.
      
      The LCSD has implemented the School Sports Programme since 2001 to enable students of primary, secondary and special schools to participate in diverse sports activities during their after-school leisure time. The "Let's Move 2019" Carnival was the first large-scale joint school event exclusively organised for special schools' students under the Programme.
      
     The Convener of the Student Sports Activities Co-ordinating Sub-committee, Professor Patrick Yung, said at the ceremony, "The LCSD allocated additional resources last year to provide a new School Sports Programme (Special Schools) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Special Schools Council, the Hong Kong Sports Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability and the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled. Under the new trial Programme, a series of sports activities has been designed for students with intellectual disability, visual impairment, hearing impairment and physical disability."
      
     Professor Yung said the new Programme is tailor made to meet the needs of special school students, noting that factors including the operation and environment of special schools as well as the capabilities of the students have been taken into consideration when deciding on the content, progress and arrangements of the activities. Proper equipment will also be provided to assist students taking part. 
      
     Through the efforts of various government departments, schools, parents and sports associations, more than 100 sports activities with the participation of over 5 000 students from 42 special schools have been organised in the past six months under the new Programme. In total 14 types of sports activities were introduced, including fitness exercise, stretching exercise, snowshoeing and different ball games. By participating in the Programme, the students can enhance their physical and mental health, as well as develop their potential, perseverance and self-confidence, achieving the objective of integration of persons with disabilities and the able-bodied in the community.
      
     Students from 16 special schools (including schools for intellectual disability, physical disability and hearing impairment) took part in the Carnival today. Various kinds of sports activities suitable for special school students were offered, including floor hockey, bocce and physical fitness. Demonstrations and sharing sessions by Special Olympic Table Tennis Hong Kong Team members were also held. Students also had opportunities to experience activities like windsurfing, basketball, baseball, rugby and table football during the interesting sports participation sessions.
      
     Co-organised by various national sports associations (NSAs), the School Sports Programme (Special Schools) is conducted in line with the schools' operation so that students can learn more about the different types of sports. The LCSD will continue to strengthen the liaison with special schools and relevant NSAs with a view to further enhancing the content of the School Sports Programme implemented in special schools.

     Other officiating guests at today's ceremony were the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Special Schools Council, Ms Shum Siu-fong; the Chief Leisure Manager (Sports Development) of the LCSD, Mr Siu Yau-kwong; the Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Special Educational Needs) of the Education Bureau, Ms Ivy Wong; the Senior Medical and Health Officer (Health Promotion) of the Department of Health, Dr Amen So; the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, Ms Lesley Fung; and the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Sports Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability, Dr Allison Wong.
      
     For details of the School Sports Programme (Special Schools), please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ssp/special_school_info/special_school.html.