Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
Members of the public are advised to report any street flooding that comes to their notice to the Drainage Services Department by calling the 24-hour drainage hotline on 2300 1110.
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 17) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Pui O Beach and Lower Cheung Sha Beach in Islands District; Hap Mun Bay Beach in Sai Kung District.
Meanwhile, due to inclement weather, red flags have been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.
Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (August 17) will be cancelled.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating today (August 16) three additional local 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.
"The CHP is highly concerned about the recent seven local cases confirmed within a short period of time and has enhanced surveillance through various platforms. Tracing of source of infection is in full swing. We are also working closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to prevent the spread of infection," a spokesman for the CHP said.
The first case involves a 31-year-old male patient with good past health, who developed fever, myalgia and rash since August 9. He sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of Queen Elizabeth Hospital on August 15 and was admitted for treatment today. He has all along been in a stable condition and his blood sample tested positive for dengue virus serotype 1 upon laboratory testing.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient lives in Wing Yiu Street in To Kwa Wan. During the incubation period, the patient had travelled to Zhongshan in Guangdong, who also had visited the barbecue area at Lion Rock Park for barbecue. However, he did not recall any mosquito bites. This case is tentatively classified as a local case.
His travel collateral and home contacts have remained asymptomatic and have been put under medical surveillance.
The second case involves a 61-year-old female patient with good past health, who developed fever, malaise, cough, myalgia and rash since August 12. She sought medical attention at the AED of Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) on August 15 and was admitted for treatment today. She has all along been in a stable condition and her blood sample tested positive for dengue virus serotype 1 upon laboratory testing.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient lives in Tak Long Estate in Kai Tak. The patient had travelled to Shunde in Guangdong during the incubation period. She works at Lion Rock Park but did not recall any mosquito bites. This case is tentatively classified as a local case.
Her travel collaterals and home contacts have remained asymptomatic and have been put under medical surveillance.
The third case involves a 39-year-old female patient with underlying illnesses, who developed fever, headache and myalgia since August 11. She sought medical attention at the AED of KWH on August 16 and was admitted on the same day. She has all along been in a stable condition and her blood sample tested positive for dengue virus serotype 1 upon laboratory testing.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient lives in Portland Street in Yau Ma Tei. The patient had no travel history during the incubation period but had visited the barbecue area at Lion Rock Park for barbecue.
Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic and have been put under medical surveillance.
"We are working closely with the FEHD to assess and prevent possible spread of infection. The FEHD's vector investigations, surveillance and control are ongoing. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Home Affairs Department have also been informed for follow-up. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing," the spokesman said.
"In addition, the CHP will conduct site visit to Lion Rock Park to carry out active case finding tomorrow. The CHP has already conducted site visits to the first two patients' home and carried out relevant active case finding today, and will visit the third patient's home tomorrow for investigation. Besides, joint health talks will also be arranged with the FEHD near the residence of the cases," the spokesman said.
Persons who have been to the vicinity of Wong Tai Sin (particularly Lion Rock Park) , Kwai Shing West Estate, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Hillside Road, Highland Park, Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground, Wing Yiu Street, Tak Long Estate and Portland Street with DF symptoms should call the CHP's hotline (2125 1122) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. The hotline operated from 6pm to 9pm on August 14 and has operated from 9am to 5.45pm daily since yesterday. As of 5pm today, 35 enquiries had been received.
"We have informed the Guangdong and Macau health authorities to alert them to the latest situation," the spokesman added.
These are the fifth to seventh local cases recorded this year. Excluding the local cases, as of yesterday, 56 imported cases had been recorded in 2018, including 25 from Thailand, 10 from the Philippines and seven from Cambodia.
In the rainy season, the public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika Virus Infection) 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:
* 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 should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the DF pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information.
Hong Kong Customs today (August 16) seized about 41.8 kilograms of suspected agarwood with an estimated market value of about $670,000 at Hong Kong International Airport.
Customs officers intercepted a 31-year-old male passenger and a 51-year-old male passenger at the airport this afternoon. They arrived in Hong Kong from Jakarta, Indonesia.
During Customs clearance, the batch of suspected agarwood were found inside plastic bags in their check-in suitcase. The two men were then arrested.
The cases were handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
