The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 18) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From January 11 to 17, the CHP recorded five imported DF cases. The patients had been to Thailand (two cases), Indonesia (one case), Maldives (one case) and the Philippines (one case) during the incubation period.

     As of yesterday (January 17), 11 cases had been confirmed this year, all of which were imported cases. The cases were mainly imported from Malaysia (two), Maldives (two), the Philippines (two) and Thailand (two). 

     DF remains endemic in some areas of Asia and beyond. In Guangdong, there were 3 316 cases in 2018. The latest figures for 2019 revealed that 715 cases had been recorded in Thailand, 600 cases in Singapore (since December 30, 2018) and three in Japan.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or exposed parts of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF and Zika virus infection should apply insect repellent for 14 days or at least 21 days respectively upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.
   

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details. 
 

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements this Sunday (January 20) to facilitate a public order event to be held on Hong Kong Island.

     The following roads will be intermittently closed from 2.15pm until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Eastbound Des Voeux Road Central between Ice House Street and Queensway;
– Eastbound Queensway between Des Voeux Road Central and Tamar Street;
– Northbound Tamar Street;
– Northbound Tim Mei Avenue;
– All lay-bys along Tim Mei Avenue and Lung Wui Road; and
– If necessary, the first right lane of Garden Road flyover.

     Vehicles may not be permitted to access or leave car parks along the route during the road closure period.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     New Cantonese opera "A Perilous Juncture of Destiny" will be presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in March. The main performers are Lee Lung, Li Qiuyuan, Wong Chiu-kwan, Tang Mi-ling, Ruan Dewen, Ko Lai, Mo Huamin, Fu Shuwang and Yat Dim-hung.
 
     Playwright Lai Yiu-wai describes the repertory as being about destiny and fortune. "'A Perilous Juncture of Destiny' is a play that took me the longest time to conceive in my writing career so far. For six months I could not put a word to paper. I went through many history books and studied in detail the many historical episodes. Then it dawned on me that 'fury for the sake of a beauty' was neither the sentiment of the past nor the intent of my writing today. So I discarded all and started from scratch," said Lai.
 
     "Wu Sangui, Duoergun, Chongzhen and Li Zicheng are all important names in Chinese history towards the last years of the Ming dynasty. They held the fate of the vast land of China, the Manchus and the Hans in their hands. The one who finally came out successfully in the enterprise must have benefitted from the opportune elements of being at the right time, in the right place, and among the right people. The question thus arises: is destiny controlled by heaven and earth, or is it in the hands of humankind? If one's destiny is pre-determined, can leaders of our time change their destinies and hence the world? 'Destiny' and 'fortune' have inspired the theme for 'A Perilous Juncture of Destiny'. I believe the past sheds light on the present. It did, it still does, and it will in future. The play examines destiny through dreams, and destiny of the individual through his or her fortunes. I hope my audacious approach may offer the audience food for thought, both in this play and in the destiny of humankind," he added.
 
     Details of the performances are as follows:
March 18 (Monday), 7.30pm: Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre
March 19 (Tuesday), 7.30pm: Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
March 24 (Sunday), 2.3pm: Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre
 
     Tickets price ranging from $120 to $320 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_718.html.
 
     A pre-performance talk featuring speakers Lee Lung, Wong Chiu-kwan and Lai Yiu-wai will be held at 7.30pm on March 4 (Monday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. A post-performance talk featuring speakers Li Qiuyuan, Tang Mi-ling and Ruan Dewen will be held after the show on March 24 (Sunday). Both talks will be conducted in Cantonese. Admission is free with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

     â€‹The Town Planning Board announced today (January 18) that the Chief Executive in Council has referred the approved Wang Tau Hom and Tung Tau Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) to the Board for amendment to reflect the latest land use proposals.
      
     The OZP incorporating the respective amendments will be exhibited for public inspection under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance.
      
     The Wang Tau Hom and Tung Tau OZP was last approved by the Chief Executive in Council in October 2011.

The following is issued on behalf of the Road Safety Council:

     The Road Safety Council (RSC) and Kowloon East Traffic Headquarters of the Hong Kong Police Force will jointly hold Join Hands for Road Safety cum Sau Mau Ping Road Safety Town Open Day at 10am tomorrow (January 19) in Sau Mau Ping Road Safety Town. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

     Highlights will include game booths, a magic show by the Po Leung Kuk Vicwood K T Chong Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, a singing performance by Shin Yat Tong On Yat Kindergarten and a drama performance by Hong Kong Kindergarten Association Pre-School.

     The ceremony will be officiated by the Chairlady of the Road Safety Campaign Committee of the RSC, Ms Rebecca Ma; the Acting Regional Commander of Kowloon East Region of the Hong Kong Police Force, Mr James Betts; Senior Superintendent of Police of Traffic Kowloon East of the Hong Kong Police Force Mr Thomas Yu; the Chairlady of the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Kwun Tong District Council, Ms So Lai-chun; the Kowloon East Regional Commander of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, Mr Samson Chu; and the Sau Mau Ping Regional Commander of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, Ms Sophia Lee.