The factory of Yau Sang Galvanizing (Hot-Dip) Company Limited at Yuen Long Industrial Estate was again prosecuted for illegal discharge of industrial wastewater into the communal sewer. It was fined $50,000 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (November 13) for contravening the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO) for the third time. The factory committed the same offence this June and August and was convicted and fined a total of $55,000.
      
     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) staff conducted an inspection this June and found that the factory concerned did not operate its sewage treatment facility properly, resulting in the discharge of industrial wastewater into the communal sewer. The EPD staff then collected wastewater samples for analysis and the results showed that the concentrations of iron and zinc were both 93 milligrams/litre, which exceeded the upper limits of the WPCO licence by three and 18 times respectively. After investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the company. Following a series of law enforcement actions, no illegal discharge of excessive wastewater by the factory was found at present. The EPD will continue to seriously follow up on the repeated illegal discharge of the factory. The department will also step up inspections and strengthen enforcement actions, in order to combat persistent violations.
      
     An EPD spokesman said that members of the industry should properly collect and treat industrial wastewater to ensure that the effluent discharge meets the standards as set out in the WPCO licence before being discharged into communal sewers. Discharging industrial wastewater with high heavy metal concentration will affect the operation of the Government's sewage treatment works. Under the WPCO, anyone who discharges commercial or industrial wastewater without proper treatment commits an offence. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. A maximum fine of $400,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on subsequent convictions.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 13) investigating a suspected outbreak of food poisoning affecting 10 persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     The patients, comprising seven men and three women aged 30 to 53, developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about nine to 13 hours after having a dinner banquet at a food premises in Kowloon Bay on November 9.

     Six of them sought medical attention. Among them, one required hospitalisation but has been discharged. All affected persons are in a stable condition.

     "We have alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to have Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in a mixed surgical ward, the spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) gave the following update today (November 13):

     One more male patient, aged 29, has been confirmed to have CPE without clinical symptoms.

     Infection control measures have been stepped up according to the established guidelines in the concerned wards. All other patients in the wards are under close surveillance. 
 
     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 13) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The case is detailed below:
 

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.    

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, and the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, visited Kwai Tsing District today (November 13) to meet with members of Kwai Tsing District Council (K&TDC) and tour the Open University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education (OUHK LiPACE) to learn about its health care programmes. The three Directors of Bureaux also separately visited a pop-up health checkup station and a secondary school.

     Mr Lau first visited Queen's College Old Boys' Association Secondary School and was briefed by the Principal cum Chairman of Kwai Tsing District Sports Association, Mr Hui Yung-chung, on how district sports association promoted rope skipping in the district and schools, and watched a rope skipping demonstration by students. He then observed students training with rowing machines and a rugby lesson, and chatted with coaches and students.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of K&TDC, Mr Law King-shing, and the District Officer (Kwai Tsing), Mr Kenneth Cheng, Dr Law and Professor Chan first went to a pop-up health checkup station of the "Project e+: Dementia Community Support Service" ("Project e+") in Cheung Fat Estate to learn about its general operations including health checks, preliminary cognitive assessments and referral of residents for detailed cognitive assessments as necessary. The two Directors of Bureaux also exchanged views with representatives of Hong Kong Alzheimer's Disease Association on "Project e+" and dementia support services. 

     "Project e+" was launched by the Kwai Tsing District Office in collaboration with Hong Kong Alzheimer's Disease Association under the District-led Actions Scheme. The project aims to raise community awareness of dementia, enhance early detection of people with dementia, and provide concrete support to people with dementia and their families. 

     The three Directors of Bureaux then proceeded to OUHK LiPACE together to learn about its health care training programmes. They toured the facilities for teaching and practical training, including a mock-up ward room, and met with students. The institute's health care programmes aim to equip students with the knowledge, skills and professionalism required for practice in the healthcare sector, so as to assist students to join the relevant industry or pursue further studies.

     Before concluding the visit, the three Directors of Bureaux exchanged views with K&TDC members on district issues.