The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 8) announced that it is investigating a suspected case of poisoning related to consumption of medicinal plant, and urged members of the public not to collect or consume any unknown plants from parks or the countryside as they may be poisonous.

     The case involving a 46-year-old woman who developed dizziness, facial numbness and blurred vision after taking self-prepared broth containing a medicinal plant, Cassytha Filiformis, that she collected while hiking in Cloudy Hill, Tai Po in late April. A friend of the patient who went hiking with her also picked the plant and self-prepared broth with the same plant and had similar symptoms.

     The case sought medical treatment and was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital on May 2. She was discharged on the same day in stable condition. Her friend sought medical treatment from a private doctor and was stable requiring no hospitalisation.

     A CHP spokesman said tests of the unused plants and the case's urine sample by the Hospital Authority Toxicology Reference Laboratory revealed the presence of substances including gelsemium alkaloids.

     "Cassytha Filiformis usually does not contain gelsemium alkaloids. However, it is a creeping plant which parasitizes on other plants for survival. If it parasitizes on Gelsemium elegans, it may absorb gelsemium alkaloids and becomes toxic," the spokesman said. The investigation into this case is on-going.

     The spokesman reminded members of the public, especially hikers, to refrain from collecting plants, including their fruits, roots and stems, in the countryside as many of them may contain lethal natural toxins. If they feel unwell after consumption, they should seek advice from healthcare professionals immediately.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     Details of the meetings of the Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees to be held in the LegCo Complex during the week from May 11 to 15 are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public can watch or listen to the meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meetings at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 7) detected a suspected smuggling case using a barge in the waters off Lung Kwu Chau. About 144 tonnes of suspected smuggled frozen meat with an estimated market value of about $5 million were seized.

     Customs officers spotted a suspicious barge when conducting an anti-smuggling operation in the waters off Lung Kwu Chau yesterday evening. Customs officers took immediate action and seized the batch of suspected smuggled frozen meat on board the barge.

     In the operation, nine men on board the barge suspected to be connected with the case, aged between 27 and 56, were arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

     Four red tides have been sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (May 8).
 
     The first red tide was spotted by a member of the public on May 2 at West Lamma Channel, including Lo Tik Wan and Sok Kwu Wan fish culture zones. The second red tide was spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at Golden Beach, Tuen Mun, on May 3.
 
     In addition, staff of the Marine Department and the Environmental Protection Department spotted red tides at Victoria Harbour near China Ferry Terminal and Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 4 and 5 respectively.
 
     All four red tides have dissipated and no associated fish deaths have been reported so far.
 
     A spokesman for the working group said, "All four red tides were formed by Heterosigma akashiwo, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters. According to overseas literature, Heterosigma akashiwo might produce neurotoxins and kill fish by damaging their gills."
 
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at the Ma Wan, Cheung Sha Wan, Lo Tik Wan and Sok Kwu Wan fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.
 
     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui, visited the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China (the Association) today (May 8). Accompanied by the Commissioner for Sports, Mr Yeung Tak-keung, Mr Tsui inspected the work of the Association in implementing the Fitness Centre Subsidy Scheme (the Scheme) launched under the second phase of the Anti-epidemic Fund.
 
     "The Scheme aims to provide a one-off subsidy of $100,000 to fitness centres to tide businesses over the financial difficulties arising from the precautionary measures taken in view of the epidemic. We thank the Association for handling the applications of the Scheme for the Government and believe that the eligible applicants will receive the subsidy very soon," said Mr Tsui.
 
     Mr Tsui also expressed gratitude to the fitness industry for complying with the Government's preventive measures, including suspension of business, in the fight against virus. In view of the stabilising epidemic situation, the Government has conducted a health risk assessment and will allow premises, including fitness centres, to resume operations starting from today provided that corresponding preventive measures have been adopted. Mr Tsui hopes that the fitness industry will soon regain vitality.
 
     The Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) has commissioned the Association to assist in implementing the Scheme, which has been open for application from May 4. As at May 7, the Association has received 397 applications, of which more than half of the applications have been checked to be eligible initially, involving subsidies of around $20 million. The other applications are still being processed. The application period for the Scheme will end on June 3. The application details of the Scheme are available on the website of the HAB (www.hab.gov.hk/en/aef_fitness_centre_subsidy_scheme). For enquiries concerning the Scheme and the application procedure, please call 2302 9089 or email to subsidy@hkpfa.org.hk.